Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram): In a major relief for island patients compelled to travel to mainland India for specialised treatment, the Andaman & Nicobar Administration has revised the Transport and Wage Loss Compensation Guidelines under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), expanding financial and logistical support for eligible beneficiaries. The revised guidelines, approved by the Governing Body of the State Health Society, A&N Islands, have come into effect from August 1, 2026.
Under the new provisions, patients referred from GB Pant Hospital, Sri Vijaya Puram, to empanelled mainland hospitals will be allowed to travel by air in Economy Class, with reimbursement of up to ₹40,000 for the onward and return journey of the patient and one attendant, subject to prescribed conditions. In a significant measure for critically ill patients, the State Health Agency (SHA) will arrange air tickets on a cashless basis for stretcher cases and one attendant.
The SHA has taken up the matter with Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd. and proposes to maintain an advance deposit of ₹10 lakh for the arrangement, though confirmation from the agency is awaited. The Administration has also widened the scope of wage-loss compensation, extending the benefit to all eligible AB-PMJAY beneficiaries.
Earlier restricted to beneficiaries under the SECC category, eligible patients can now receive ₹1,000 per day for a maximum of 20 days, subject to the terms and conditions of the revised guidelines. The move is expected to ease the financial burden on island families, for whom specialised treatment on the mainland often means costly travel and loss of income. The complete revised guidelines are available on the official website of the Directorate of Health Services, A&N Administration.
