Port Blair, Sept 13: Air Marshal PK Roy, AVSM, VM, VSM, ADC Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command visited INHS Dhanvantari, the only Service hospital in the Islands on 09 Sep 13. A presentation on the operational status of the hospital, the patient care related activities and support rendered to GB Pant Hospital was given by Surgeon Captain Ravinderajeet Singh, the Commanding Officer of INHS Dhanvantari. The Commander-in-Chief was briefed about the modernisation efforts, steps taken to enhance patient care and on the various outreach programmes to outlaying islands especially in the field of ante-natal care.
He later on walked around the entire hospital and interacted with the patients. During his rounds he was very happy to note the high standards of care and services being provided to the patients. He urged the hospital to continue providing high standards of care to the Defence personnel and their families, and the civil populace.
Col Harmit Singh, Command PRO stated that as a prelude to the Command Raising Day on 08 Oct 13, the Commander-in-Chief would be visiting various components and units of this unique Unified Command, and this visit marked the beginning of the same.
INHS Dhanvantari is the premier Health Care establishment of the Andaman and Nicobar Command. The hospital has been at the forefront of providing highest quality of medical care and assistance not only to the Service personnel and their families but also to the residents of the Islands through its unique community outreach programmes.
In the late 1960s, when the force levels in the islands were being augmented, a need was felt to have a Service medical care facility given the remoteness of location, infrequent and poor connectivity and lack of locally available resources. On the initiative of then Naval Officer-in-Charge of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a building in Haddo that was being constructed as a hotel was identified for housing the hospital on a temporary basis till such time it could move to its permanent location. A Naval Hospital was opened at this location on 01 Aug 1974. This was formally commissioned as INHS Dhanvantari on 07 Oct 1974 as a 25 bedded hospital.
Over the years the hospital has grown in size, capacity and capabilities. Today the hospital has 107 beds. It is located in Minnie Bay in an ultra-modern complex capable of rendering integrated holistic care to the patients. Being the premier hospital of the Integrated Tri-Services Command, it has been manned by specialists from all the three Services.These specialists provide expert care in medicine, surgery, obstetrics & gynaecology, paediatrics, anaesthesia, ENT, eye and dental disciplines.Round the clock clinical services are ably augmented withdiagnostic services by the departments of imagingand laboratory sciences equipped with the state of the art equipment that incorporate latest technologies.
INHS Dhanvantari has gathered many laurels over the years. It received the Lieutenant Governor’s Commendation on 15 Aug 2002 for yeoman service to the Islands. The hospital played a pivotal role in disaster management in the aftermath of devastating Tsunami of 2004 for which it was widely acclaimed.
INHS Dhanvantari has also embarked upon a campaign to train the community in basics of life saving first aid. It is conducting regular lectures and practical training in Cardio-Pulmonary- Resuscitation for family members. This training will help the community members to give effective First Aid in cases of life threatening situations which could make a difference between life and death. Apart from this regular health education lectures on various topics of common interest are also taken for service personnel and their families.
Due to peculiar geographical layout with difficult hilly terrain, separation by long and huge water barriers, non-approachability by public transport, long distances from higher health-carecentres, delivery of and access to health care services remains a challenge in many parts of the islands. Andaman and Nicobar Command through INHS Dhanvantari has been proactively involved in the delivery of health care to the needy civilian and tribal population of various remotely located islands of this region. Specially equipped medical teams are airlifted or travel by ship to these remote islands for the outreach activities. During past two years, 16 multi-speciality medical camps have been organised in different places of the islands. An average of 250-400 patients spanning all age groups have benefitted each time a camp of this nature is organised. Regular features of these camps include specialist consultations, screening of cases for onward referral and definitive treatment, ultrasound scanning of all antenatal cases to ensure normal pregnancy outcome, performance of on the spot minor surgical interventions and prescription of glasses. School children in these locations are also regularly examined for presence of malnutrition and assessment of normal development. Those needing further care are assisted to reach expert care in Port Blair. Health education lectures and interactive discussions are held with the local population during the camps to disseminate the vital information related to preventive health care.
Wellbeing of ex-servicemen is an area of high priority in the hospital. All cases requiring in-patient treatment are provided with tender loving care. An ECHS polyclinic is functioning in the hospital premise which is attended by ECHS members for OPD care. Special medical camps have been conducted during this year atDiglipur, Carnicobar and Campbell wherein the veterans and their families were screened by specialists for presence of chronic ailments.
INHS Dhanvantari shares a symbiotic relationship with Directorate of Health Services and the team of doctors at GB Pant Hospital. On its part, INHS Dhanvantari has been providing constant support in the form of radiological services. Its radiologist regularly visits GB Pant Hospital for consultations and provides diagnostic support to their clinicians and surgeons. INHS Dhanvantari has also been at the forefront of organising blood donation camps regularly to provide this precious gift of life to the needy. Such interactions have earned an enviable reputation for the hospital.
True to its name, like the mythological God of Medicine who appeared with Amrit during Sagar Manthan, INHS Dhanvantari shines as a jewel in the midst of the mighty oceans and through its healing hand it is providing the nectar of life to the ailing and the needy of these remote islands.
