Port Blair, Jan 21: It comes as a sigh of relief to the needy islanders who had been struggling to get to the right consultation, treatment and the right hospital in the mainland India, with minimum financial burden.
A private start-up company named ‘HospiDost’ has been recently launched in the islands, which is all set to ease the burden the patients and their attenders have to undergo during the treatment, especially in mainland hospitals. The start-up is led by Dr. Sonia Basu, an islander herself who has been serving in the mainland India for the past two decades.
Explaining about the start-up, Dr. Basu said that her initiative focusses on establishing a referral care centre where patients can receive initial consultation and be referred to the right specialists based on the treatment requirements. HospiDost will also be providing teleconsultation service to connect patients with the doctors in India and also abroad. This will simplify the process of diagnosis and treatment.
Acknowledging the challenges associated with regard to healthcare, which the islanders have been dealing with, Dr. Basu explained that, many at times it becomes a major challenge to the not so educated islanders to get the diagnosis, identify the right doctors/ specialists and chose the right hospital for the treatment. And the fear of confusion associated with big hospitals in the mainland leads to a sense of being lost. HospiDost is therefore an initiative ease these confusions of the islanders by providing support to the patients right from the moment of arrival in the mainland, guiding them through the hospital counters and coordinating with the hospital staff. It will also ensure all support during their stay viz. follow-up visits, providing accommodation options for extended stays during post-operative recovery.
The services by HospiDost will also include arrangements for ambulance, air-ambulance, safe accommodation near the hospital, attendants to guide with the hospital procedures and financial options on treatment cost. The initiative is thus to assist the patients right from the time of admission to discharge, with minimal financial burden. It is also an initiative to simplify the healthcare journey of the residents of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, said Dr. Basu.
On being asked about the inspiration behind her venture, Dr. Sonia Basu added, “I’m an islander myself and have been witnessing the burdens of the islander during their healthcare journey in the mainland. HospiDost is my way of giving back to my islands and fellow islanders”.
Dr. Sonia Basu is the daughter of Late Basu Kumar, a well-known and respected islander, who had served under various capacities in the A&N Administration as a DANICS Officer.