Port Blair, June 5: In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, the Member of Parliament, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma today presented a series of pertinent observations and suggestions regarding the state of healthcare transportation and services in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The observations and suggestions put forth by Mr. Sharma encompass various critical aspects of healthcare delivery in the region:
Transportation: Sharma highlighted the challenges faced by patients who are referred to empanelled hospitals on the mainland, particularly with the infrequency of ships and the subsequent waiting periods. He proposed streamlining of transportation options to include air travel, both in a sitting position and as a stretcher case, each with one attendant.
Cost of Transportation: Sharma explained the financial burden placed on beneficiaries' families in arranging the funds necessary for transportation to the mainland. To alleviate this issue, he recommended providing tickets to the patients and one attendant, instead of reimbursement of transportation costs.
Wage Loss Benefit: Currently, wage loss benefits are limited to SECC beneficiaries under the AB-PMJAY scheme. Sharma suggested extending this benefit to non-SECC beneficiaries, excluding pensioners.
Duration of Wage Loss Benefit: Sharma proposed extending the criteria for wage loss benefits until the patient returns home, as opposed to the current maximum of 20 days.
Public Awareness: To enhance public awareness, Sharma emphasized the need for widespread publicity of the list of empanelled hospitals in the mainland for both SECC and non-SECC beneficiaries referred under the AB-PMJAY scheme.
Immediate Medical Attention: Sharma raised concerns about critically ill patients experiencing delays in receiving immediate medical attention at specialty hospitals on the mainland due to uncertainty regarding inflight facilities of oxygen. He urged the authorities to address this matter in collaboration with airlines.
Empanelling Additional Hospitals: Sharma explained the limited choice of hospitals available to patients referred under the AB-PMJAY scheme, which restricts their ability to select a hospital based on convenience. He suggested empanelling of additional hospitals in the mainland to expand options for patients.
Medical Test Costs: Patients sent to mainland India under the AB-PMJAY scheme are reportedly required to bear the cost of medical tests separately, which proves to be unaffordable for many individuals from the BPL category. Sharma requested inclusion of all medical test costs under the coverage of up to Rs. 5 Lakhs.