Port Blair, June 18: A long cherished dream of the Islanders has been fulfilled with the inauguration of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facility by Lt Governor, Lt Gen (Retd) A.K. Singh at the GB Pant Hospital here this evening. The Member of Parliament, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray and Smt Rupa Ray also graced the occasion.
The inauguration of the MRI is a part of the efforts put by the Administration to make all the possible health facilities available in the islands for the benefit of the Islanders. This facility has been made available at a total cost of around Rs. 8.5 cr.
Soon after unveiling the plaque to mark the inauguration of the facility, the Lt Governor congratulated the Health Department and APWD for having completed this important task for the people of these Islands. The Lt Governor expressed his happiness that the Hospital has been equipped with this important facility for the benefit of the people who otherwise are forced to travel to mainland for MRI scanning. The Lt. Governor also interacted with the Doctors and enquired about the trained manpower. The DHS informed that the Department technicians have been trained and they will be performing the MRI scan.
The Lt. Governor directed that the new MRI Unit should be well maintained and it should provide good service to the Islanders. He also directed the DHS to see the possibility of availing the services of a Radiologist from the private or Defence Services till the appointment of a permanent Radiologist in GB Pant Hospital.
The Chief Secretary, Mr. Anand Prakash, the Principal Secretary (Health), Chairperson SWAB, Smt. Ratna Kannan, and other senior officers of the Administration and Doctors from Defence & Civil Administration were also present on the occasion. MRI is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to investigate the anatomy and function of the body in both health and diseases.
Earlier, Smt. Rupa Ray inaugurated an ambulance service for the benefit of the Islanders in the entire three Districts under the National Health Mission.
The Lt. Governor directed the DHS to ensure that all the ambulance should have one paramedical staff each so that the patient gets the required attention till he/she is brought to the Hospital. The DHS informed that altogether 10 ambulances have been received as part of the Janani Suraksha Yojna which is exclusively for mother and children. Out of the 10 ambulances, five will be sent to North & Middle Andaman, one ambulance will be stationed at Car Nicobar and rest will provide services in South Andaman District.
