Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 08 January 2024
In a rescue operation on the night of January 6th and 7th, 2024, the Coast Guard executed a life-saving mission to evacuate a 70-year-old resident of Afra Bay in Great Nicobar Island. The individual, belonging to the Nicobarese Tribal Community, faced breathing difficulties, necessitating immediate medical intervention.
Responding to a plea from the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, the Coast Guard swiftly orchestrated a late-night sea evacuation from Afra Bay to Campbell Bay. The objective was to ensure prompt medical attention at the PHC Campbell Bay for the patient’s condition.
This operation marked yet another instance where the Coast Guard has come to the aid of remote communities on Great Nicobar Island and Little Nicobar Island, ferrying patients to the PHC Campbell Bay during crucial times.
Notably, the defence authorities have been instrumental in saving numerous lives, extending their support not only to local communities but also to sailors facing medical emergencies aboard merchant navy vessels traversing the Malacca Strait and other routes near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The commendable efforts of the defence forces have garnered widespread appreciation from the community, acknowledging their pivotal role in emergency situations.
Afra Bay, situated in the northern reaches of Great Nicobar Island, remains secluded and accessible solely by sea due to the absence of road connections.
Plans are in progress to establish helipads in remote settlements like Afra Bay, aiming to expedite emergency evacuations. This initiative holds significant promise for the local community, potentially enhancing the efficiency of rescue missions during critical situations.
Furthermore, the authorities should consider to station night-capable helicopters in Campbell Bay and Kamorta, which would cater to the needs of early patient evacuations from these regions. These helicopters, should be equipped with life-saving apparatus, so that it could facilitate swift transfers from Campbell Bay and Kamorta to Port Blair when emergencies dictate.