Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 21 August 2025
Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Mr. Jagat Prakash Nadda in a letter dated August 11, 2025, has assured CPI(M) Tamil Nadu MP, Mr. R. Sachithanantham, that concerns raised by him over inadequate healthcare facilities in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are being examined by the Ministry.
Earlier, on July 31, MP Mr. Sachithanantham had written to the Union Health Minister drawing attention to the “impoverished state” of medical care in the territory. He pointed out that the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS) is facing acute shortages in infrastructure, essential equipment, and specialist doctors. According to him, even basic diagnostic facilities like MRI are either non-functional or in poor condition and patients are referred outside. Due to lack of facilities patients are forced to seek treatment on the mainland at Chennai or Kolkata — an option many islanders cannot afford.
The CPI(M) MP further emphasized that ANIIMS urgently requires around 650 core staff members across departments to function effectively. He noted that a proposal for approval of these posts has already been submitted to the Ministry.
Highlighting the challenges faced in rural areas, Mr. Sachithanantham said District Hospitals and Community Health Centres remain ill-equipped, with some facilities lacking even Duty Medical Officers. He urged immediate appointments of sufficient doctors “on a war footing.”
The MP also alleged irregularities in the supply of medicines. He expressed concern that the current procurement process through GeM tendering often fails, leaving patients without adequate supplies.
Appealing for urgent intervention, Mr. Sachithanantham requested the Health Minister to post sufficient specialist doctors, ensure regular supply of quality medicines, and install modern diagnostic equipment, including functional MRI Equipment. He said such measures would not only safeguard the health of island residents but also strengthen India’s image among international tourists visiting the islands.
