Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 23 April 2024
Residents of remote islands in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago are advocating for the reinstatement of a crucial lifeline: free helicopter ticket scheme for referred patients requiring medical treatment in Port Blair.
The scheme, previously administered by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, covered the expenses of helicopter travel for patients referred by doctors from remote islands to G B Pant Hospital in Port Blair. However, the initiative was discontinued, leaving many residents grappling with significant challenges when seeking specialised medical care.
For financially disadvantaged patients, the inability to afford helicopter fares poses a significant barrier to accessing timely treatment, particularly when travel by ship is not feasible due to medical conditions.
The situation is particularly dire for residents of the Nicobar District’s remote islands, who endure the greatest distance from Port Blair and face compounded challenges in accessing medical services.
Political leaders from across the spectrum, along with tribal representatives, had earlier joined forces in demanding the reinstatement of free helicopter travel for referred patients. Their unified voice underscores the urgency and necessity of this measure in ensuring the well-being of islanders.
Given the logistical constraints of providing advanced medical facilities on all remote islands, facilitating patient access to treatment in Port Blair remains paramount. Resuming the free helicopter travel scheme for referred patients is seen as a critical step towards fulfilling this imperative and addressing the healthcare needs of residents scattered across the Union Territory.
The Administration is urged to prioritise the welfare of patients from remote islands by swiftly reinstating the scheme, ensuring that financial constraints do not impede access to essential medical care.