Vikramaditya
Mayabunder, July 13: In a positive development, Dr. Ganesh Sammadar, Deputy Director of Health Services (DHS), A&N Administration, visited the Operation Theatre (OT) of R.P. District Hospital, Mayabunder on July 12, 2025.
According to Abdul Siddique, Ex-Pramukh of Mayabunder, the Deputy Director visited the OT upon his personal request, despite being on a tight schedule. Dr. Sammadar took immediate stock of the condition of the theatre and, recognizing the urgency, directed the hospital authorities to initiate repairs and install an air conditioner in the OT—long overdue given the challenging conditions faced by both doctors and patients during surgeries in the closed, unventilated room.
Mr. Siddique appreciated Dr. Sammadar’s swift action, expressing hope that the hospital authorities would now follow through on his directions to improve the OT’s functionality, which is crucial for timely surgical interventions.
This prompt action by the Deputy Director comes in stark contrast to the larger, ongoing issues plaguing the R.P. Hospital, which were brought to light just days earlier during a visit by Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, the Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The MP had visited the hospital recently and was reportedly disturbed by the state of the healthcare infrastructure. He found the hospital grossly understaffed and operating under poor conditions, citing many concerns such as Lack of Full-Time Leadership: The hospital currently has no dedicated Medical Superintendent. A senior doctor from PHC Billiground has been given additional charge, but distance and responsibilities make effective administration unfeasible.
Shortage of Specialist Doctors: No full-time surgeon, physician, orthopedist, or ENT specialist is posted. Only a few specialists (gynecologist, pediatrician, anesthesiologist, and dentist) and four contractual MBBS doctors are currently available, causing frequent patient referrals to Sri Vijaya Puram or mainland hospitals.
Idle Infrastructure: A new ward inaugurated in January 2025, equipped with over 30 beds, remains unused. Dialysis machines and sterilization units also lie idle due to lack of trained staff.
Unsafe OT Conditions: The operation theatre, before the Deputy Director’s inspection, was reportedly unsafe, with cracked beams, falling dust from the ceiling, and water leakage—issues that had not been addressed for months.
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray had condemned the “gross negligence” on part of the Directorate of Health Services and the District Administration, calling for immediate intervention to address these systemic issues.
