Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 16 August 2024
Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS) has taken a significant step towards enhancing patient care by upgrading the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) at GB Pant Hospital. The facility now boasts state-of-the-art equipment, including motorised beds, defibrillators, cardiac multi-para monitors, suction machines, portable ECG machines, and an X-ray machine, ensuring comprehensive care for critically ill patients.
The newly renovated MICU was officially inaugurated on August 14, 2024, by Mr. Keshav Chandra, IAS, Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. The inauguration ceremony was attended by several key officials, including Ms. Nandini Paliwal, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary; Dr. Anil Agarwal, Secretary (Health)/MD-NHM; Dr. Pragya Sharma, Director of ANIIMS; Dr. Suja Antony, Director of Health Services; Dr. MK Saha, MS, in-charge of GB Pant Hospital; Mr. Shanmugam, Vice President and Cluster Head of HDFC Bank; and Mr. Sakit Jha from the NGO Doctors for You. The MICU renovation was made possible through the financial support of HDFC Bank and the technical assistance of Doctors for You, both contributing under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
During his address, Chief Secretary Keshav Chandra praised the dedication of the medical professionals in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, recognising that they chose to serve in a remote location like A & N Islands. “The doctors here deserve immense appreciation for their commitment and professionalism. The quality of services and facilities at GB Pant Hospital is now on par with mainland hospitals, thanks to continuous upgrades and renovations,” he remarked.
He also commended the collaborative efforts of HDFC Bank and Doctors for You in enhancing the healthcare infrastructure at GB Pant Hospital. “This partnership is vital for ensuring that the people of the Islands receive top-notch healthcare services. I hope this collaboration continues in the future,” he added.
Dr. Pragya Sharma, Director of ANIIMS, expressed her gratitude to the Administration for its unwavering support and to the partners for their role in upgrading the MICU. She highlighted that the improved facilities would significantly enhance patient care.
Dr. MK Saha, in his vote of thanks, echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the contributions of all stakeholders involved in the project. Representatives from HDFC Bank and Doctors for You also shared their satisfaction in being able to support the hospital, emphasizing the importance of providing critical care services to those in need.
The upgraded MICU, which now features 11 beds equipped with advanced life-saving machines, represents a major leap forward for GB Pant Hospital. The facility includes motorized beds with remote control operation, high-end heart monitoring systems, and portable devices for bedside investigations such as blood gas analyzers, X-rays, and ECGs. Each bed is connected to a centralized oxygen pipeline, ventilators, and BiPAP machines for oxygen support.
The MICU, considered the heart of any hospital, is reserved for patients requiring intensive care. The renovation, the first since 2004, brings GB Pant Hospital’s MICU up to modern standards, ensuring that critically ill patients receive the best possible care. Infection control and hygiene remain top priorities, with strict visitor limitations enforced to maintain high care standards and improve patient survival rates.
As part of these efforts, only one attendant per patient is currently allowed in the hospital, with even stricter controls in place for ICU areas. Once the MICU achieves the optimal patient-nurse ratio, visiting hours will be further restricted to ensure the facility’s high standards are upheld.