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Health Care Services in the Isles

Despite numerous challenges, the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands has demonstrated commendable health achievements. As per 2001 data, the birth rate stood at 17.81 per thousand population, the death rate at 3.41 per thousand, and the infant mortality rate at 17.33 per thousand live births. The Couple Protection Rate was 58.16%, and the Total Fertility Rate was 1.9 per 1000 population. Institutional deliveries conducted by skilled personnel accounted for 88% of all births. However, continuous migration from the mainland has made it difficult to maintain a higher couple protection rate.

Given that the health infrastructure has already been saturated, the current focus is on enhancing the quality of healthcare services—through improved availability of medicines, modernization of equipment, and better financial support—rather than further expansion.

Present Status

Acknowledging the geographical isolation, difficult terrain, and limited communication options, all Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in the islands are equipped with 10 beds, while Community Health Centres (CHCs) are provided with 40–70 beds. These centers are supported by laboratory services, X-ray facilities, and blood transfusion units. Captive power generators, ambulances, and refrigeration systems for maintaining the vaccine cold chain are also available. These health facilities are staffed by doctors, nurses, and paramedical personnel in accordance with Government of India norms.

Rural Health Services

Primary healthcare is delivered to the rural population through a network of Sub-Centres, PHCs, and CHCs. In the A&N Islands, the Government of India has relaxed the standard population norms, allowing Sub-Centres to be established every 5 km and PHCs every 10 km, regardless of population figures, to address local needs more effectively.

Major Healthcare Institutions

GB Pant Hospital, Port Blair

The GB Pant Hospital is a 412-bedded facility serving as the only referral hospital in the Union Territory. It offers specialized services across Surgery, Medicine, Gynecology, Pediatrics, ENT, Pathology, and Ophthalmology, with an average daily outpatient attendance of around 1200 patients. The hospital boasts a bed occupancy rate of 90% and is led by a Medical Superintendent, supported by a Deputy Medical Superintendent. While most specialist positions are filled, vacancies in medical specialties like Radiology remain. Plans are underway to upgrade GB Pant Hospital into a Super Specialty center, incorporating departments like Cardiology, Neurology, Urology, and Oncology to minimize patient referrals to mainland hospitals.

Telemedicine Services

Launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee on 3rd July 2002, the Telemedicine Project links GB Pant Hospital with Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute (SRMC&RI), Chennai. This facility enables patients to access super-specialty consultations remotely, saving considerable time and resources. Telemedicine services have also been extended to the District Hospital at Car Nicobar and will progressively expand to other CHCs and PHCs.

Traditional and Alternative Medicine

ISM & Homoeopathy

The Union Territory operates eight Homeopathic dispensaries, established in phases between 1975 and 2001, located at Port Blair, Car Nicobar, Bambooflat, Mayabunder, Rangat, Diglipur, Nancowry, and Campbell Bay. Additionally, a 30-bedded ISM & Homoeopathy Hospital is being developed at Port Blair. The administration envisions expanding the reach of AYUSH services, including setting up 10 more Homeopathic and 4 Ayurvedic dispensaries during the 10th Plan period. The first Ayurvedic dispensary commenced operation at Aberdeen Bazar on 30th November 2001.

Healthcare in Tribal Areas

Although the tribal population constitutes approximately 9.5% of the UT’s total population, about 30% of the healthcare institutions are concentrated in the Nicobar District. Out of the district’s population of around 42,026, nearly 26,000 are tribals. This indicates the administration’s commitment to providing adequate healthcare services to its indigenous communities.

BJR Hospital, Car Nicobar

Established: 9th September 1960 (Old Complex)
New OPD Block: Inaugurated on 7th January 2012

The BJR Hospital at Car Nicobar is a 118-bedded District Hospital providing comprehensive health services to the local community. It plays a critical role in delivering primary, secondary, and preventive healthcare across the Nicobar district.

Services Offered

  • Outpatient (OPD) Services:
    • Allopathic OPD
    • Dental OPD
    • Ophthalmic OPD
    • Psychiatric OPD
    • Physiotherapy
    • Adolescent Health Services (under RKSK)
    • NCD Clinic
    • Family Welfare Services
    • Casualty OPD (5 beds)
    • ICTC Counseling Services
  • Ayush Services:
    • Ayurveda OPD
    • Homeopathy OPD
    • Yoga OPD
    • Panchakarma Therapy
  • Specialized Units:
    • District TB Unit under NTEP
    • Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakaram (Child health screening)
    • Dialysis Unit (4 beds)
    • Operation Theatre
    • Intensive Care Unit (6 beds)
    • District Public Health Laboratory (includes emergency blood transfusion)
    • Radiography Unit (X-Ray and Ultrasound)
    • Registration Unit for Births and Deaths
    • Jan Aushadhi Pharmacy
    • District Malaria Unit
    • Integrated Disease Surveillance Unit
  • In-Patient Services:
    • Male Ward (25 beds)
    • Female Ward (20 beds)
    • Children’s Ward (20 beds)
    • Sick Newborn Care Unit (2 beds)
    • Labour Ward (8 beds)
    • Special Ward and Nursing Home
    • TB Ward (16 beds)

Implementation of PM Flagship Health Programs

BJR Hospital is actively implementing multiple national programs:

  • Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)
  • Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK)
  • Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK)
  • Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK)
  • Universal Immunisation Programme
  • Mission Indradhanush (MI)
  • Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)
  • Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)
  • Navjaat Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (NSSK)
  • National Programme for Family Planning
  • Labour Room Quality Improvement Initiative (LaQshya)

Comprehensive National Health Programs Implemented

  1. Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCHA)
  2. National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme
  3. National Mental Health Programme
  4. National Tobacco Control Programme
  5. National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS)
  6. National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme
  7. National Leprosy Eradication Programme
  8. National AIDS Control Programme
  9. National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly

Health and Wellness Centres (HWC) under BJR Hospital

BJR Hospital coordinates several Health and Wellness Centres across Car Nicobar, enhancing outreach and last-mile healthcare delivery to the tribal and rural population through trained Community Health Officers (CHOs), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), and Multipurpose Health Workers (MPHWs).