Taun Karthick
Port Blair, 21 August 2023
Inpatients at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) Katchal, the sole medical facility serving the remote Island of Katchal, have been enduring hardship for the past two months due to the failure of PHC Katchal to provide them with the necessary meals.
Local residents have reported that the PHC has ceased offering meals to the patients, resulting in suffering among tribal and other individuals requiring medical care.
Nutrition is a vital component of patient treatment, and government health institutions in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are traditionally responsible for supplying inpatients with tailored, balanced meals that align with their specific health conditions, all while delivering free medical care.
Tailored meals are recognized for aiding in the recovery process by enhancing the overall health and well-being of patients.
The motive behind PHC Katchal’s decision to discontinue meal provisions to inpatients remains unclear. However, the local community is deeply distressed by the suffering endured by these individuals.
The residents of Katchal are urgently calling upon the Directorate of Health Services, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, to promptly reinstate the provision of meals to inpatients, not only for their improved recovery but also for the welfare of society as a whole.