The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has approved the construction of a new Health & Wellness Centre at Jarawa Creek in Baratang, responding to the long-pending demand of villagers under Nilambur Gram Panchayat. The project, estimated to cost ₹2.20 crore, has been included in the Action Plan for the 2025–26 financial year, with execution to be carried out by the Andaman Public Works Department, subject to the availability of funds.
The decision follows representation made by the Member of Parliament for Andaman and Nicobar Islands, who raised the issue on behalf of the residents of Nilambur. Villagers had flagged difficulties with the existing Sub-Centre at Jarawa Creek, which is located on a hillock and poses significant challenges for patients, particularly senior citizens, in accessing healthcare services. Given the location, patients often struggled to reach the facility, undermining its intended role as a primary point of care.
Initially, a proposal amounting to ₹71.12 lakh had been submitted for the repair and reconstruction of the existing Sub-Centre. However, concerns were raised that refurbishing the centre in its current location would not resolve the core problem of accessibility. In view of these limitations, the MP recommended construction of a new Health & Wellness Centre at a more convenient site that meets the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) guidelines.
The Health Department, after reviewing the situation, accepted this suggestion and confirmed that the revised proposal has been integrated into its upcoming Action Plan. The new facility is expected to provide improved healthcare access to the residents of Jarawa Creek and nearby villages, ensuring that essential medical services are within easier reach. By complying with IPHS norms, the centre will be equipped to deliver both preventive and curative healthcare, expanding beyond the limited services that the sub-centre had previously provided.
The move has been welcomed by the villagers, who had been pressing for better healthcare facilities for years. The decision is seen as a step towards addressing rural health disparities in Baratang, where geographical challenges often complicate the delivery of basic services. Relocating the centre from the hillock to a more accessible site is expected to particularly benefit elderly residents, pregnant women, and children, who form the most vulnerable groups in need of regular healthcare.
Health infrastructure across the islands has often faced hurdles due to dispersed populations and difficult terrain. In Baratang, as in many rural areas of the Andamans, villagers rely on primary health centres and sub-centres for basic care, with referrals made to district hospitals for advanced treatment. The construction of a Health & Wellness Centre at Jarawa Creek is expected to ease pressure on other facilities while ensuring timely access to medical care at the local level.
The centre will also support the broader goals of the Ayushman Bharat initiative, which envisions the transformation of sub-centres and primary health centres into Health & Wellness Centres to provide comprehensive care. This includes maternal and child health services, management of communicable and non-communicable diseases, and basic diagnostic facilities. By meeting these standards, the proposed facility at Jarawa Creek is expected to serve as a model for upgrading rural health services in the islands.
The announcement marks progress on a grievance that had remained unresolved for several years. While the construction timeline will depend on fund allocation, the inclusion of the project in the official plan for 2025–26 signals the administration’s recognition of the villagers’ needs. For residents of Nilambur Gram Panchayat, the new Health & Wellness Centre represents more than an infrastructure project, it is a step towards bridging long-standing gaps in healthcare delivery in Baratang.
