John Wilbert &Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands: The patients of the Long Island region have been facing many difficulties due to shortage of lab technicians at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Long Islands. The shortage has led to a crisis situation in the lab, causing delays in results and diagnoses for patients.
As the general public of the entire Long Island region relies on this single PHC, the number of patients at the hospital has increased in the past six years, but the medical lab remains closed without functioning. This has raised an urgent need for action by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to resolve this crucial issue for the remote island.
According to villagers, “In the hospital, we have a lab and machine, but no staff in the laboratory. The situation is even more critical now. It affects results, and diagnoses are delayed.”
The Pradhan Gram Panchayat of Long Islands, Mr. Kamaraj, told Andaman Sheekha that there is a growing demand of health care in the Island, many residents of Long Island are old, who are visiting the Rangat PHC for blood testing and other lab testing.
“Patients with long illnesses need to take a 1 hour 30 minute boat service from Long Islands to Rangat to reach other government hospitals, after standing in long queues for doctor consultation and lab testing. After long hours, patients only receive the report and start their return journey by evening. It has often been observed that many patients return without getting their tests done at the laboratory,” he added.
On behalf of Long Island villagers, Kamaraj demanded lab technicians. He has now requested the Directorate of Health Services to intervene in this matter and provide some relief for the people of the Long Islands.
When Andaman Sheekha Daily contacted a senior officer of the Directorate of Health Services, it was informed that they have already taken up the matter with the administration and that files have been moved to start the recruitment process for more Lab Technicians.
