Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 07 August 2024
The dispersed population across the many isolated islands of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago faces significant challenges in accessing quality healthcare. While Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) are spread throughout the islands, providing care for basic ailments, they often refer patients to Port Blair for specialised medical consultations.
However, many elderly and financially disadvantaged residents of these remote islands struggle to travel to Port Blair for specialist care. This often results in delayed treatment or prolonged suffering due to the lack of accessible specialist doctors.
To address this critical issue, the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) must organise regular health camps at remote PHCs and CHCs. These camps should feature scheduled visits from different specialist doctors on a monthly basis at each PHC and CHC.
Such initiatives would allow residents to consult with specialists closer to their homes, receive necessary diagnostic information, and understand the procedures involved in their treatment. This would enable them to better plan any required visits to Port Blair. Additionally, doctors could provide appropriate treatments for conditions that do not necessitate advanced diagnostics.
Regular visits from specialists would significantly improve the quality of life for the inhabitants of these remote islands. It is imperative that such camps are initiated to ensure the welfare of the general public, particularly for those who delay or forgo treatment due to the logistical and financial barriers of traveling to Port Blair.
By implementing these health camps, the DHS can help ensure that the people of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands receive the medical care they need, regardless of their location.