Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 18 October 2022
The patients at the remote Katchal Island have been suffering since 17th October 2022, due to the non-availability of a doctor at the Primary Health Centre to treat patients. PHC Katchal is the lone hospital in the Island and the residents of Katchal are completely dependent on the hospital for all healthcare needs.
Two doctors are posted at PHC Katchal, one male and one female doctor. The male doctor is on leave and is out of station. According to sources, the female doctor suddenly left the station on 17th October 2022, by helicopter, due to some personal/health reasons.
Directorate of Health Services did not arrange for a replacement doctor for PHC Katchal because of which the patients are suffering.
Sources in Katchal Island informed Nicobar Times that Senior Citizens, Children and regular patients are suffering as there is no one to prescribe medicines for their ailments. Out Patients who visited PHC Katchal yesterday and today had to return without treatment.
Mr. Lorenes, a resident of Katchal informed Nicobar Times over the phone, that this is the first time that no doctor is available at PHC Katchal. Mr. Lorenes also added that there are in-patients admitted in the hospital ward but there is no doctor to look after them.
The non-availability of a doctor in the Island is a serious issue and strict action should be taken against the management of the Directorate of Health Services for such negligence. A doctor should immediately be sent from nearby Islands to Katchal to treat the patients and to prevent any serious incident due to the non-availability of a doctor.