The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dr. Dinesh Sharma, today conducted a comprehensive inspection of G.B. Pant Hospital, Sri Vijaya Puram, and undertook an in-depth review of the medical facilities, arrangements and overall management of the hospital. He interacted directly with patients and their attendants to enquire about the treatment being provided, available facilities and the difficulties and inconveniences faced by them.
During the inspection of the Pharmacy Counter, directions were given to ensure adequate stock of all essential medicines required for day-to-day treatment, so that patients do not have to depend excessively in the local market for medicines. Emphasis was also laid on making the Jan Aushadhi Kendra located within the hospital premises functional at the earliest and ensuring its regular and effective operation to provide quality medicines to patients at affordable prices.
During the inspection of the Pathology Laboratory, the available facilities, equipment and functioning of the laboratory were reviewed. Directions were given to identify essential laboratory machines that are currently unavailable at the hospital and prepare proposals for their procurement at the earliest, so that all necessary diagnostic facilities can be made available within the hospital premises in a time-bound manner.
Taking serious note of the non-functional MRI machine, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor directed that it be repaired on a war footing and made operational at the earliest, while ensuring its continuous functioning thereafter. The Chief Secretary (In-charge) was directed that procurement of equipment should be undertaken through a fully transparent tendering process.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor also inspected various wards, including Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, Surgery, Medicine and Paediatrics, and interacted with patients to enquire about their health and treatment facilities. He also met patients belonging to the tribal community admitted in the Jarawa Ward and enquired about their well-being. The concerned officials were directed to demonstrate special sensitivity and promptness in their treatment and care.
Giving the highest priority to the convenience of patients and their attendants, directions were issued to establish a Patient Attendants’ Accommodation Facility within the hospital premises and to ensure adequate seating and waiting arrangements in the Male Ward.
During his interaction with faculty members and doctors, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor directed the preparation of a concrete and time-bound action plan for restoration of essential medical services and for making all services functional at the earliest. He also directed that the ventilators be repaired immediately.
The issue of increasing the number of doctors working in the hospital was directed to be taken up on priority. Necessary action was also directed to be initiated for creation of new posts on contractual basis and for ensuring stability in the tenure of doctors engaged on contract.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor further emphasized the need to prepare necessary proposals and take further action for increasing the number of MBBS and PG seats at ANIIMS, with a view to enhancing the availability of specialist doctors in the Islands and further strengthening medical education and healthcare services. He also directed that cancer and cardiology services be made fully functional and operated effectively.
During the inspection, Shri Sachin Shinde, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary and Chief Secretary (In-charge); Smt. Vandana Rao, Secretary (Health); Smt. Pallavi Sarkar, Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman; Smt. Shweta K. Sugathan, IPS, Superintendent of Police, South Andaman, and other senior officers were present.
