Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 16 October 2023
The President of the Andaman Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC), Mr. Rangalal Halder, has drawn attention to a series of pressing concerns regarding the state of healthcare services in the Primary Health Center (PHC) of Hutbay and R.K Pur in Little Andaman.
In a formal letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, Mr. Halder expressed his deep concern over the dire conditions prevailing at the PHC in Little Andaman. He outlined several alarming issues that threaten both the safety of medical staff and the well-being of patients in the area.
The primary concerns raised by Mr. Halder include the absence of essential staff and facilities. Currently, the PHC in Little Andaman operates without a dedicated watchman, lacks a Safai Karamchari (cleaning staff), does not have Laboratory & General Clinic (LGC) staff, and faces a severe shortage of Lab Technicians. Furthermore, the centre lacks a Dialysis Machine and the essential technician needed to operate it, a situation that could prove critical for patients in need of dialysis treatment.
Mr. Halder emphasised the vital role that the PHC plays in providing life-saving treatment to the local population. The effective functioning of the PHC is paramount for the health and well-being of the people in Little Andaman, and these issues cannot be ignored.
In light of these concerns, Mr. Halder has called upon the authorities for immediate intervention and resolution of these critical issues. He has urged for the allocation of resources and enhancement of healthcare services at the PHCs in Little Andaman to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents in the region.
The President of the ANTCC has taken a proactive stance to address these issues, signalling the importance of healthcare accessibility for the people of Little Andaman. The response of the authorities to these concerns will be closely monitored as the community awaits improved conditions at the Primary Health Centres.