Sri Vijaya Puram, July 11: The Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands Shri Bishnu Pada Ray has strongly urged the A&N Administration, particularly the Health Department to immediately halt the proposed renovation of the decades-old Sub-Centre at Jarawa Creek, Nilambur village in Baratang, and instead construct a new Sub-Centre at the nearby roadside vacant land that has already been allotted for health services.
The existing Sub-Centre, built in 1988 in a semi-RCC structure, is situated on a steep hilly terrain with nearly 30 steps, making access extremely difficult especially for pregnant women, senior citizens and patients with mobility challenges. Despite having undergone three rounds of renovation over the years with considerable public funds, the facility remains unsuitable for its intended purpose due to both structural and location constraints.
Local villagers, PRI representatives and social workers have repeatedly raised concerns and demanded relocation of the Sub-Centre to a level, accessible site. However, no concrete action has been taken so far, and another round of renovation is now reportedly being planned which is nothing but to “wasteful and unjustified” said MP.
The MP emphasized that further renovation of the existing Sub-Centre would not address the core issue of inaccessibility and would be a poor use of taxpayer money. He has therefore recommended that a new semi-RCC Sub-Centre be constructed on the level roadside land already under the possession of the Health Department. This would not only improve access but also ensure safe and inclusive delivery of healthcare services to the rural population.
The MP also stressed that, in the interim, the Directorate of Health Services must ensure proper maintenance and basic upkeep of the existing facility so that essential medical services continue uninterrupted until the new Sub-Centre is built.