Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct 12: The Government of India recently responded to the issues raised by Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, regarding the need to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and services across the Islands, informing him that several measures are already under process, including an expert assessment of the Islands’ healthcare infrastructure, collaboration with premier AIIMS institutions, assessment of hospitals against national public health standards and preparation of a long-term healthcare service plan.
The response has come from Mr. Nityanand Rai, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, in reference to MP Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray’s letter dated June 16, 2026, addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Minister, in his communication dated September 28, 2026, stated that the matter had been examined in consultation with the Andaman and Nicobar Administration and that an updated status on the points raised by the MP was being enclosed as an interim response.
The response assumes significance as it provides an official update on the steps being taken by the Union Government and the UT Administration concerning healthcare infrastructure, specialist medical services, hospital standards and institutional collaboration in the geographically remote Islands.
In his earlier letter, MP Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray had drawn the attention of the Prime Minister to what he described as the deteriorating healthcare situation in the Islands, particularly at G.B. Pant Hospital, Sri Vijaya Puram, which he referred to as the lone referral hospital for the entire Islands and the teaching hospital for ANIIMS. He had sought urgent intervention to improve healthcare infrastructure, specialist and super-specialist services, diagnostic facilities, critical care and emergency medical services.
One of the major demands raised by the MP was the establishment of a small AIIMS unit in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The MP had referred to his earlier communication of October 22, 2024, seeking such an institution, and subsequently to his appeal for bringing ANIIMS under the mentorship, administrative control or academic supervision of AIIMS, New Delhi, or another reputed national medical institution.
The latest response, however, provides details of a different but significant institutional approach already being pursued. According to the Ministry’s reply, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare constituted an expert team to undertake a comprehensive study of healthcare infrastructure in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The team visited the Islands during December 2025 and March 2026. The Ministry stated that the expert team had submitted its draft report to the Ministry and that the approved report was awaited.
The response also highlights efforts to establish stronger links between ANIIMS and premier medical institutions. According to the enclosed status report, ANIIMS has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with AIIMS Rishikesh for conducting telemedicine-based multidisciplinary specialty medical camps. In addition, the process of signing an MoU with AIIMS Mangalagiri was stated to be at the final stage. The Ministry said such arrangements would provide academic support, capacity building and opportunities for research.
Another important development concerns the assessment of existing healthcare institutions against Indian Public Health Standards, or IPHS. The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has assessed the requirement for strengthening existing healthcare institutions in accordance with these standards. The response states that the proposals received from the Administration are being examined before a consolidated proposal is forwarded to the Ministry.
The Administration has also initiated steps for infrastructure assessment and feasibility studies at several healthcare institutions. According to the Ministry’s response, decisions have been taken to appoint a consultant under the India Infrastructure Project Development Fund for undertaking feasibility studies relating to infrastructure at the District Hospital, Garacharma and Dr. R.P. Hospital, Mayabunder, among other facilities. The move is aimed at assessing infrastructure requirements and preparing suitable projects for development.
The Union Ministry has also acknowledged that some healthcare institutions require infrastructure improvement. At the same time, it noted that, considering the distinctive geographical and logistical challenges of the Islands, the existing healthcare infrastructure is already above the prescribed IPHS requirements in some respects. The Ministry said that a long-term healthcare services plan would be prepared by the Administration, considering the specific requirements and challenges of the Islands and based on the study approved by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The response further states that the Administration remains committed to strengthening healthcare infrastructure for the people of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, promoting specialist medical education, improving access to quality healthcare services and developing a self-reliant healthcare system.
The latest communication therefore provides a point-wise status on several healthcare-related concerns raised by the MP rather than simply reiterating the earlier position on AIIMS. It indicates that the Government has moved towards institutional assessments, expert evaluation, collaboration with established AIIMS institutions, infrastructure planning and development of a long-term healthcare roadmap.
MP Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray’s June 16 letter had specifically called for an independent assessment of G.B. Pant Hospital, ANIIMS, district hospitals and community health centres; stronger specialist and super-specialist services; modern diagnostic facilities; critical care and emergency services; a long-term healthcare development plan; and accountability for deficiencies affecting patient care.
The next significant developments will be the approval of the expert report, progress on the proposed AIIMS Mangalagiri collaboration, completion of infrastructure feasibility studies and preparation of the long-term healthcare services plan for the Islands.
