Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 28 September 2023
In a significant development aimed at enhancing healthcare services in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Mr. Keshav Chandra, IAS, inaugurated a cutting-edge 4D Colored Echo Machine for diagnosing various congenital and acquired heart problems. Additionally, an exclusive Chemo Immunotherapy Unit (CITU) was unveiled to provide essential care for cancer patients. The inauguration ceremony took place at ANIIMS/G.B Pant Hospital and was attended by key dignitaries and medical professionals.
The event saw the presence of Secretary (Health), Dr. Satyendra Singh Dursawat, IAS, OSD ANIIMS, Dr. Anil Agarwal, Director of ANIIMS, Dr. Pragya Sharma, Director of Health Services, Dr. Suja Antony, members of the Quality Assurance Team, faculty members, senior doctors, and dedicated staff from ANIIMS/GB Pant Hospital.
Shortly after the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Chief Secretary was provided with an in-depth briefing on the functioning of the newly installed state-of-the-art Echo Machine by Dr. Srikant, a Cardiologist at ANIIMS. A demonstration of the machine’s capabilities was also conducted. With the installation of this advanced technology, ANIIMS/GB Pant Hospital has now joined the ranks of a select few centers of excellence that offer cutting-edge solutions for diagnosing congenital and acquired heart conditions. This development marks a significant breakthrough in the management of cardiac cases within the Islands. Mr. Chandra lauded the installation of the 4D Colored Echo Machine, recognizing its potential to benefit the local population.
Presently, the Cardiology Department at G.B Pant Hospital caters to a substantial number of patients, serving between 120 to 140 patients in the outpatient department on a weekly basis, with 30 patients admitted for inpatient care, encompassing both adults and paediatric cases. The department conducts 12 to 14 angiographies, 6 to 7 angioplasties, and approximately 2 to 3 pacemaker implantations every week. This marks the first time that the Cardiology Department at G.B Pant Hospital has introduced this advanced technology in the history of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Following this momentous occasion, the Chief Secretary proceeded to inaugurate the 10-bedded Chemo Immunotherapy Unit (CITU), a critical facility for patients requiring chemotherapy treatment. The CITU, established within the Isolation Ward, is set to play a pivotal role in supporting cancer care in the Islands through ANIIMS/GB Pant Hospital. It is worth noting that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands grapple with a high prevalence of cancer, particularly head and neck cancers. The prevalence of other forms of cancer is also notably high, with limited access to treatment facilities. Consequently, patients were often referred to mainland India for diagnosis and treatment. With the inauguration of this dedicated unit, cancer patients can now initiate their chemotherapy treatment at ANIIMS/GB Pant Hospital itself, thanks to dedicated space, drugs, and medical expertise, eliminating the need for referrals to the mainland. In the near future, the hospital plans to appoint oncologists and explore the possibility of setting up a Radiotherapy Unit, further enhancing cancer care services in the region.