Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 24 October 2025
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has urged the Administration to initiate local tie-ups between private hospitals in the Islands and the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) network to ensure cashless treatment for patients locally and to curb unnecessary referrals to mainland hospitals.
In a letter addressed to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, the MP highlighted that the existing limitations in advanced medical facilities at G.B. Pant Hospital have resulted in frequent referrals to empanelled mainland hospitals for procedures such as ophthalmic, cardiac, orthopedic, gynecological, urological, and neurological treatments.
While AB-PMJAY covers treatment expenses at empanelled hospitals, Mr. Ray noted that patients and their attendants continue to face heavy financial burdens due to airfare, accommodation, and other incidental costs—expenses that are often unaffordable for many islanders, particularly those from economically weaker backgrounds.
Pointing out that several private hospitals and diagnostic centres in Port Blair—such as Apollo Hospitals, Ritika Diagnostic Centre, Arun Hospital, Amritha Health Care, Rohini Hospital, Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, Pillar Health Centre, Health 4U, and Maricar Hospital—are already equipped to offer a range of specialized services with the assistance of visiting super-specialists from the mainland, the MP proposed that the Administration enter into Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with such institutions under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
According to Mr. Ray, local empanelment under the scheme would:
- Ensure timely and accessible treatment for islanders;
- Reduce financial burden on patients and families;
- Minimize government expenditure on referrals and transportation; and
- Strengthen the healthcare system through public–private collaboration.
The MP further informed that the proposal was deliberated during the District Planning Committee meeting held at Port Blair on 7th October 2025, where members, including representatives from the Administration, unanimously recommended exploring such collaborations between the Directorate of Health Services and capable private hospitals.
He added that local tie-ups under the Ayushman Bharat scheme would not only improve healthcare accessibility but also encourage private sector investment in hospital infrastructure and generate employment opportunities for local youth, including doctors and paramedical professionals graduating from ANIIMS and other local institutions.
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray concluded that implementing this initiative would be a significant step towards realizing affordable, accessible, and inclusive healthcare for the people of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, in line with the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister under the Ayushman Bharat mission.
