Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug 11: Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, met Ms. Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, in New Delhi today on 11th August 2025 to highlight the deplorable state of the healthcare system in the Islands and press for urgent intervention. During the meeting, the MP strongly argued for immediate remedial measures, including the deputation of specialist doctors on both short-term and long-term basis until adequate medical facilities are established.
He specifically raised before the Secretary viz (a) Out of 50 sanctioned specialist posts for the Islands, only 6 are filled (b) Critical specialists such as gynecologists, cardiologists, neurologists, urologists, nephrologists, oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, pediatricians, anesthesiologists, and orthopedists are unavailable in district hospitals and CHCs (c) Pregnant women from inter-island areas are forced to travel long distances to GB Pant Hospital, causing severe hardship and contributing to maternal and infant mortality (d) Reports of avoidable deaths and cases of patient reluctance to seek care due to lack of qualified specialists and fear of negligence (e) Despite raising the matter repeatedly through letters, parliamentary interventions on 02.08.2024, appeals by the Lt. Governor, there has been no considerable improvement (f) Hand over the ANIIMS (MBBS Medical College) to AIIMS or operate it under a PPP model for better management (g) Depute for an AIIMS expert team to assess ground realities and recommend corrective measures (h) suggestion to merge specialist posts across hospitals for better transferability and availability (i) Frequent non-availability of basic medicines and tonics in government hospitals, forcing patients to buy them from private pharmacies.
Upon highlighting the serious issues before the Ministry, Shri Ray, Hon’ble MP has made the following demands to address it urgently.
-Restore the earlier rotation system of specialist deputation to the Islands.
-Expedite reforms in ANIIMS management through AIIMS or PPP mode.
-Send an AIIMS/expert team to evaluate and address healthcare deficiencies.
-Implement structural reforms in specialist postings for greater accessibility.
Shri Bishnu Pada Ray emphasised that the matter is “a question of life and death for the people of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands” and urged the Ministry to act without further delay.
The Union Health Secretary, after hearing the detailed concerns presented by Shri Ray, assured that the issues would be addressed in consultation with the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration.