Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 23 November 2024
Life in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is as unique as it is challenging. Residents of these remote islands, who contribute tirelessly to the region’s development, often grapple with hardships that their mainland counterparts may never encounter. Among these challenges, access to healthcare stands out as a critical concern, especially for those residing in far-flung areas of the archipelago.
For decades, the limited health infrastructure on remote islands has posed significant difficulties. Basic diagnostic tools and treatments are often the only options available, forcing doctors to refer patients to the G.B. Pant Hospital in Sri Vijaya Puram, the islands’ only tertiary care facility. These referrals, however, are far from straightforward.
Doctors categorise referrals into two types: by ship and by air. Ship referrals are reserved for patients who can endure the journey without compromising their health and can afford to wait for treatment. For those whose conditions demand immediate attention—whether it be a specialist consultation, urgent diagnosis, or emergency treatment—referrals by air are issued.
In the past, air referrals came with the assurance of free transportation, a lifeline provided by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. Patients and their attendants could board helicopters to Sri Vijaya Puram without worrying about costs, allowing families to focus solely on the health and recovery of their loved ones.
Over time, however, this critical support was eroded. First, attendants were required to pay their own way, leaving only the patients eligible for free travel. Later, the benefit was restricted solely to tribal patients. Now, even this provision has been entirely withdrawn, leaving all residents of the remote islands to bear the cost of their emergency air travel.
For many, these costs are prohibitive. Families already burdened by the mental anguish of illness find themselves scrambling to arrange funds for helicopter tickets, often at the expense of timely treatment. The emotional and psychological toll is immense—how does one choose between health and affordability when both feel unattainable?
Stories of residents unable to access life-saving care due to financial constraints have become alarmingly common. These situations underline a painful truth: healthcare access should never be determined by one’s ability to pay for transportation, especially in regions where the government is expected to bridge such gaps.
Andaman and Nicobar Administration must revisit this policy with urgency and compassion. The reintroduction of free air travel for referred patients from remote islands to Sri Vijaya Puram is not just a demand—it is a plea to restore a lifeline that once assured dignity and hope to those in need.
For families navigating the storm of illness in the isolated corners of the islands, the stakes are life and death. It’s time for the Administration to act, to bring back a service that ensures no resident is left behind in their moment of greatest vulnerability.