Mayabunder: The need to further strengthen healthcare infrastructure in rural and remote areas of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands came into focus during a visit by G. Bhasker, Chairman of the TSG Charitable Foundation, to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Tugapur in North and Middle Andaman.
During his visit, Bhasker interacted with patients admitted to the health centre and enquired about their health conditions, treatment and the medical services being extended to them. He also took stock of the facilities available at the PHC and discussed various aspects of healthcare delivery with doctors and other members of the medical staff.
The visit brought renewed attention to the challenges of providing timely and comprehensive healthcare services in the rural and geographically dispersed areas of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where distance, difficult connectivity and limited access to specialised medical facilities can often pose serious challenges for patients.
While Primary Health Centres form the backbone of healthcare delivery in rural areas, there is a growing need to further augment infrastructure, medical equipment, diagnostic facilities and the availability of doctors and specialists at health institutions located away from major urban centres. Strengthening these facilities is particularly important to ensure that residents of remote areas receive timely treatment without having to frequently travel long distances for specialised medical care.
Discussions were also held with the doctors and healthcare personnel regarding the services presently available and the challenges involved in meeting the medical needs of the local population. The interaction highlighted the importance of continuously upgrading rural healthcare institutions and equipping them to handle a wider range of medical requirements.
Bhasker was accompanied during the visit by Alagar Swamy, Adhyaksh, Zilla Parishad, North & Middle Andaman, K.K. Sikder, former Zilla Parishad Member, Tugapur, and others.
