The District Legal Services Authority, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, organized a comprehensive Medico-Legal Awareness Session for healthcare professionals at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS) on March 30, 2026, combining physical and online participation. The programme aimed to enhance legal literacy, ethical understanding, and professional accountability among medical practitioners.
The session, held in collaboration with the District Judiciary and PRAYAS JAC Society, Sri Vijaya Puram, brought together doctors, nurses, and healthcare staff from the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) and ANIIMS. It focused on equipping participants with knowledge of key legal provisions, rights, and responsibilities relevant to medical practice.
The programme was inaugurated by senior representatives from the District Legal Services Authority and the District Judiciary, alongside Dr. H.M. Siddaraju, Director, Directorate of Health Services, and Dr. M.K. Saha, Director (I/C), ANIIMS. PRAYAS JAC Society’s leadership, including Regional Head Marya Sheela and Advisor K. Vijay Kumar, also attended, supporting the initiative with technical and organizational input.
Sessions were led by judicial officers who served as resource persons, delivering insights on medico-legal and social issues in healthcare. Key speakers included Rashid Alam, Registrar, Calcutta High Court Circuit Bench at Sri Vijaya Puram and Member Secretary, A&N SLSA; Neyaz Alam, Additional District & Sessions Judge; Dipendra Nath Mitra, Family Court Judge; Samrat Roy, Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, DLSA; and Anupam Sircar, Additional Judicial Magistrate First Class.
The hybrid format facilitated active participation, enabling attendees to engage in discussions, clarify legal queries, and gain practical guidance on professional responsibilities. The session emphasized safeguards for medical practitioners while highlighting ethical considerations and compliance requirements critical to patient care.
Participants gained clarity on issues ranging from informed consent and medical negligence to reporting obligations and medico-legal documentation. Officials noted that such programmes reinforce awareness of legal and social frameworks, helping healthcare professionals deliver services responsibly and confidently.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. M.K. Saha, Director (I/C), ANIIMS, who acknowledged the contributions of the speakers, ANIIMS, the Directorate of Health Services, PRAYAS JAC Society, and all supporting authorities. He also appreciated the proactive participation of attendees, citing their engagement as instrumental in the success of the event.
Officials stated that similar initiatives would continue to ensure that healthcare professionals remain updated on legal frameworks, enhancing accountability and strengthening the intersection of law and healthcare in the region. This initiative underscores the administration’s commitment to public-interest governance by combining legal literacy with professional development in the medical sector.
