Arrives at Car Nicobar, Inspects Infrastructure, Interacts with Officials and Community Leaders
Car Nicobar, Feb 6: The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS on first leg of his five days visit to Southern Group of Islands arrived at Car Nicobar this morning. On arrival at Car Nicobar Helipad, the Chief Secretary was accorded a warm welcome by the Deputy Commissioner, Nicobars, Shri Yash Chaudhary, IAS, SP District Nicobars, Shri Manjeet, IPS, Assistant Commissioner (HQ), Car Nicobar, Shri Vikram Singh, Chief Captain, Tribal Council, Car Nicobar, Shri Lynold Nicomed, Village Captains, Senior Officers of line Departments and others.
Soon after arrival, the Chief Secretary visited BJR Hospital, Car Nicobar and inaugurated a newly set up four bedded Dialysis Unit in the presence of Shri Yash Chowdhury, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Nicobar District, Shri Lionald Nicomede, Chief Captain, Tribal Council, Car Nicobar, Medical Superintendent, BJR Hospital, Car Nicobar and other Senior Officers.
Interacting with the Health Officials, the Chief Secretary appreciated the efforts of the Health Department for installing the much needed facility in BJR Hospital. He said, with the inauguration of this Unit, patients who are in different stages of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) needing frequent dialysis hereafter need not come all the way to Port Blair to avail such facility, thereby helping in cost cutting of travel, lodging expenses and long duration of stay. Now, the patients can avail the dialysis facility at their door steps in Car Nicobar itself, he said. The Chief Secretary also interacted with the patients and enquired about their wellbeing. He also inspected other health care facilities available in the Hospital for the benefit of the residents of Car Nicobar and appreciated the Health Department for keeping the premises of the hospital spic and span. To cater to the needs of pregnant women, a Gynecologist has been posted in BJR Hospital and the needy patients are now able to access health care facilities pertaining to C- Section, critical deliveries at their convenience in Car Nicobar itself without the need of coming to Port Blair.
With the opening of this Dialysis Unit at BJR Hospital, the long pending demand of tribal people of Car Nicobar has been fulfilled. Meanwhile, 12 Chronic Kidney patients belonging to Car Nicobar Island who are presently compelled to undergo haemodialysis at GB Pant Hospital, Port Blair can now avail this facility at BJR Hospital, Car Nicobar itself.
Under the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) which was rolled out in 2016, every District in the country is supposed to have a Dialysis Unit. The Dialysis Unit at GB Pant Hospital, Port Blair in South Andaman was established in the year 2002 at Dr RP Hospital, Mayabunder in North & Middle Andaman District in 2013 and now with the inauguration of the Dialysis Unit at BJR Hospital, Car Nicobar in the Nicobar District, the A&N Islands will have a rare distinction of having one Dialysis Unit in all three Districts. A&N Administration has gone a step further and established Dialysis Unit at CHCs in Bambooflat, Diglipur and Rangat too.
Thereafter, the Chief Secretary visited Self Help Group Market set up at Edward Kutchet Park. He praised the SHG members for their wonderful display of varied handicraft items and urged the organizers to organize the event in a broader scale.
Later, the Chief Secretary visited Kinyuka Primary School and interacted with the students. While appreciating the upkeep of the School, he urged the Education Officials to include more interesting learning materials for the benefit of the students. The Chief Secretary visited Anganwadi Centre and appreciated the CDPO, Car Nicobar, Smti Sunita Kumari and other staff of the Centre for organizing ‘Beti Janma Utsav’ to encourage birth of girl child. The Chief Secretary also distributed baby kits to lactating mothers. He also appreciated the millet recipes included in the diet by the Child Development Project Office as part of International Year of Millet.
The Chief Secretary also emphasized the need for promoting kitchen gardens and requested the Tribal Council to take the initiative by encouraging community participation.
The Chief Secretary also visited Sub Centre of Health Department and interacted with the staff. He also visited Tsunami Memorial and offered floral tributes and planted a sapling. Thereafter, the Chief Secretary visited Round Hut at Chukchuka and held meeting with the general public and Tribal Council, during which, various issues were raised by the Tribal Council and general public. He directed all Departments to resolve public grievances in a time-bound manner and also advised the Department Officials to adopt a proactive and committed approach in resolving public grievances.
The Chief Secretary also announced reintroduction of procurement of copra under Minimum Support Price scheme through NAFED. He also directed the Officials of Electricity Department to ensure seamless power supply while APWD officials were directed to ensure better road connectivity.
In the afternoon, the Chief Secretary visited Arong Veterinary Farm and advised the officials to reach out to the people and provide poultry chicks, piglets and goat kids to the farmers extensively for promoting goatery, piggery and poultry activities. The Chief Secretary also visited Skill Development Centre (ITI), Arong, Car Nicobar and directed that courses which generate potential employment locally should be introduced for the benefit of the students.
The Chief Secretary also visited Mus Church wearing traditional costumes of the Nicobarese tribe and interacted with the Bishop and also addressed a large gathering. He also visited the Light House.
Tomorrow (Feb.7), the Chief Secretary will visit Malacca and proceed to Teressa. At Teressa, he will hold meeting with Tribal Representatives and also visit PHC, AWC, Power House etc. Thereafter, he will depart for Chowra Island.