Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct 23: Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, has expressed serious concern over the continuing shortage and non-availability of essential medicines in Government hospitals across the Islands, including G.B. Pant Hospital.
The MP stated that time and again it has come to his notice that most medicines prescribed by specialists and treating doctors are not readily available due to insufficient stock in hospital pharmacies. As a result, patients particularly those from poor and economically weaker sections are being compelled to purchase medicines from private pharmacies, causing them severe financial hardship.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Mr. Ray informed that this issue was also raised by the Tribal Captains during the District Planning Committee (DPC) meeting held at Car Nicobar on 30th September 2025, as it seriously affects the welfare of the tribal community and other residents of remote islands.
While in the South Andaman District and nearby areas some private medical shops are available, the situation in the Nicobar Group of Islands is extremely critical as there are hardly any private pharmacies. Consequently, patients there are often unable to procure even life-saving medicines, leading to deterioration in their health conditions and defeating the very objective of providing free and adequate medical care through Government institutions.
Terming the situation as alarming and unacceptable, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray has urged the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, to take immediate steps to ensure uninterrupted availability of all essential and life-saving medicines in G.B. Pant Hospital and all other health institutions under the Administration. He emphasized that under no circumstances should the stock of essential medicines be allowed to run out, and strict monitoring should be ensured to prevent recurrence of such distressing situations in the future.
