Sri Vijaya Puarm, June 17: Mr. Angshuman Roy, State Youth President of Hindu Rashtra Shakti, has appealed to the Prime Minister of Ifor the urgent implementation of a dedicated air ambulance service and a real-time digital medical coordination system for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Citing the unique geographical challenges of the archipelago, which lies over 1,300 kilometers away from the Indian mainland, Mr. Roy in his letter to the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, emphasized the critical delays faced during medical emergencies. He stated that the cost of a single air evacuation currently ranges from ₹7 to ₹12 lakhs—an unaffordable burden for most islanders. He expressed grave concern that many lives have already been lost due to the unavailability of timely flights and called for decisive action to prevent further tragedies.
Mr. Roy proposed the introduction of the PM Shri Air Sewa Ambulance Service in the islands, which would provide government-subsidized air ambulance facilities for patients in need of urgent medical transfers. Alongside this, he advocated for the development of a Medical Single Window System (MSWS), a unified digital platform that would streamline real-time approvals, patient eligibility verification under schemes such as Ayushman Bharat and Islander ID, and inter-agency coordination across the health, aviation, and emergency services.
He noted that the concept draws inspiration from the European Union’s Single Window Environment in customs, where instant data integration ensures minimal delay. A similar approach in the healthcare domain, he said, could bring down the average processing time for medical evacuations from many hours—or even days—to mere minutes.
Mr. Roy also recommended a two-phase implementation model. The first phase would involve backend integration of hospitals, air ambulance operators, and district health officials. The second phase would include the public launch of a digital portal and a helpline to serve as a direct access point for citizens in medical distress.
He further urged the allocation of ₹55 crore towards the leasing of aircraft, procurement of medical equipment, and the development of helipads at Primary Health Centres. These helipads, he suggested, could be developed through ANIIDCO, and permissions and contractor access could be facilitated through the proposed MSWS system.
In his letter, Mr. Roy stressed that such a system would ensure faster evacuation—within 4 to 5 hours instead of the current 48 hours or more—offer real-time transparency, and guarantee equitable access for the remote and tribal communities of the islands. He also pointed out that the integration with Ayushman Bharat would allow for completely free or heavily subsidized treatment for eligible citizens.
Concluding his letter with a strong emotional appeal, Mr. Roy wrote, “The Andaman Islands cannot afford to lose another life for want of a timely flight. We seek your leadership to make this vision a reality—one that aligns with the Digital Health Mission and your vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’.”
