Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb 20: Shri TSG Bhasker, Chairman of the Campaign Committee–ANTCC, has urged the Chief Secretary of the A&N Administration to take immediate steps to address the alarming shortage of specialist doctors in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
In a representation submitted to the Chief Secretary, Shri Bhasker highlighted that the non-availability of specialists in key medical fields is causing immense hardship to patients, particularly those belonging to below poverty line and lower-income groups. He stated that due to the absence of specialist doctors locally, many patients are compelled to travel to mainland hospitals for treatment. Tragically, several patients do not return alive.
He further pointed out that even financially well-off individuals with sufficient resources are unable to save their lives in the absence of timely specialist care in the Islands, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Shri Bhasker emphasized the urgent need for the appointment of a Neurologist and a Pulmonologist, noting that their presence is crucial during the first few hours when a patient suffers a stroke, respiratory failure, or other critical attacks. Availability of such specialists, he stated, could prevent many avoidable deaths every month.
He also stressed the growing incidence of nephrological diseases, particularly kidney failure, in the Islands, and called for the immediate appointment of a qualified Nephrologist to address this rising health concern.
Drawing attention to infrastructure issues, Shri Bhasker stated that the operation theatre is not up to the required standards. He further demanded the establishment of an additional operation theatre equipped with the latest machinery and modern medical equipment.
Terming the issue as a serious public health concern, Shri Bhasker urged the Administration to treat the matter with utmost urgency in the larger interest of the people of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.