Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept 20: The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS, today rededicated the service of MV Shompen as Hospital Ship during a function organized by the Directorate of Shipping Services, A& N Administration at Phoenix Bay Jetty, Sri Vijaya Puram here this morning. The Secretary, Shipping, Ms Purva Garg, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman, Shri Arjun Sharma, IAS, Director, ANIIMS, Dr. Pragya Sharma, Director, Health Services, Dr. Suja Antony, Director, Shipping, Capt. Atul Kumar Singh and other senior officials from Directorate of Shipping Services, Health Services were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Secretary lauded the Secretary and Director of Shipping Services for initiating this commendable step, through meticulous planning, methodical preparation and perseverance. He also encouraged the crew and staff of MV Shompen and appreciated the Health Department for supporting this vision by deploying two doctors for the ship. He expressed confident that this ship will be able to go to the areas where it is very difficult for the patients to come.
The Chief Secretary concluded his address by congratulating the crew members, the entire team of Shipping services and all those who made it possible to see this day and bestowed his best wishes to doctors.
In his welcome address, the Director, Shipping said, the vessel has the capacity to carry 16 patients who are not on stretchers, and 4 patients who are on stretcher. In addition, with the cooperation of DHS, ANIIMS staff, the crew will support the medical teams during the trips to conduct medical camps in different parts of the Island. He said, arrangements have also been made for doctors to be on board, along with essential hospital equipment. In the coming months, DSS aim to establish a small operation theatre on this vessel. He further informed that Medical camps will be held at various remote locations, and DSS will begin this effort with a mission to Strait Island this coming Monday.
Leave a Reply