Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 31 December 2023
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands has raised an urgent demand for the immediate deployment of specialist doctors and supporting staff to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Diglipur. In a formal communication addressed to the Chief Secretary of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration, D. Ayyappan, Secretary of the CPI (M) State Organising Committee for A & N, highlighted critical healthcare deficiencies observed during a recent visit to Diglipur.
The letter underscored the concerning absence of specialist medical professionals at the CHC Diglipur. Notably, the facility currently lacks a Gynaecologist, resulting in pregnant women requiring specialised care being referred to Port Blair. However, the dire condition of the NH-4/ATR renders road travel to Port Blair nearly impossible for patients, compelling them to await transportation via ships equipped with proper cabin facilities.
Moreover, surgical cases necessitating a Surgeon’s attention are also redirected to Port Blair due to the non-availability of such expertise locally. Despite persistent appeals from the local populace, the absence of a Specialist in General Medicine at CHC Diglipur persists. Ayyappan, in the communication, stressed the essentiality of a Medical Specialist for Diglipur Tehsil, encompassing a population of 50,000 across 15 Gram Panchayats. Consequently, a significant number of residents are compelled to travel monthly to Port Blair seeking treatment from a General Medicine Specialist.
In addition to the shortage of medical professionals, the CPI (M) Secretary emphasised the acute scarcity of supporting staff like Staff Nurses (Nursing Officers), Ward Boys, and technical personnel at CHC Diglipur. This dearth further exacerbates the healthcare challenges faced by the facility.
Ayyappan fervently appealed to the Chief Secretary to urgently address the situation by promptly deploying specialist doctors and adequate support staff to CHC Diglipur, emphasising the pressing need to rectify the prevailing healthcare deficiencies impacting the local populace.