Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct 24: Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, has written to the Lt. Governor of A&N Islands urging for local tie-ups between private hospitals in the Islands and the Administration under the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). The initiative aims to facilitate cashless treatment for patients within the Islands and avoid unnecessary referrals to mainland hospitals, particularly in cases where treatment facilities are already available locally.
In his communication, the MP highlighted that due to limited advanced treatment facilities at G.B. Pant Hospital, a large number of patients are being referred to mainland empanelled hospitals for a wide range of medical procedures, including ophthalmic, cardiac, orthopedic, gynecological, urological, and neurological treatments.
While the scheme covers treatment expenses at empanelled hospitals, patients and their attendants face heavy financial burdens due to airfare, accommodation and other incidental costs. These expenses are often unaffordable for many, especially those from economically weaker sections, leading to distress and hardship.
The MP emphasized that several private hospitals and diagnostic centres in Port Blair such as Apollo Hospitals, Ritika Diagnostic Centre, Arun Hospital, Amritha Health Care, Rohini Hospital, Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, Pillar Health Centre, Health 4U, Maricar Hospital, and others are already equipped to provide many of these specialized services, often with the assistance of visiting super-specialists from the mainland.
He therefore urged the A&N Administration to enter into Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with such capable private hospitals, enabling local patients to receive treatment under the Ayushman Bharat–PMJAY scheme without having to travel to the mainland. Such an arrangement, the MP stated, would:
• Ensure timely and accessible treatment for islanders;
• Reduce financial burden on patients and families;
• Minimize government expenditure on referrals and transportation; and
• Promote public-private partnership in strengthening the healthcare system within the Islands.
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray also informed that this proposal was discussed during the District Planning Committee meeting held at Port Blair on 7th October 2025, where the members including representatives from the Administration unanimously recommended exploring such collaborations between the Directorate of Health Services and capable private hospitals.
He further pointed out that local tie-ups under the Ayushman Bharat scheme would not only enhance healthcare accessibility but also encourage private sector investment in hospital infrastructure and create employment opportunities for local youth, including doctors and paramedical professionals graduating from ANIIMS and other local institutions who remain unemployed due to the limited number of healthcare establishments. The MP concluded that this initiative, if implemented, will mark a significant step towards achieving affordable, accessible, and inclusive healthcare for the people of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, in true spirit of the Ayushman Bharat mission envisioned by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India.
