Port Blair, Dec 31: The Andaman & Nicobar Islands, while being host to some of the most scenic islands on this planet, encounters myriad challenges for connectivity with the mainland in general and within the islands in particular. This predicament became more glaring and predominant during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which necessitated prompt evacuation of patients from various Islands to Port Blair.
The Indian Air Force helicopter flight at Air Force Station Carnicobar under the Andaman & Nicobar Command was entrusted the responsibility of airlifting critical patients to Port Blair and have flown numerous missions by day as well as night since June this year.
A dedicated team of pilots and technicians were earmarked as the COVID-19 Evacuation Crew and kept in a state of readiness round the clock so as to get airborne at short notice.
The maintenance team have ensured high operational readiness of the helicopters by working 24×7 to enable safe evacuation flying. Strict COVID protocols and preventive measures were instituted for these Air Warriors which included stringent isolation for long periods so as to ensure the crew is available for ‘COVID Safe’ flying for evacuations at any time.
Innovative measures by creation of partitions ensured that the patient and crew were isolated from each other thereby reducing the risk of the infection to the aircrew during the flight. Despite the physical and mental challenges, these motivated professionals displayed exemplary dedication to duty and have been the flying angels for our citizens evacuating nearly 34 COVID-19 patients by air since July 2020.
In the past few months the helicopters have also been actively involved in medical evacuation of other critical patients and have evacuated patients which includes five ladies with complications in advance stages of pregnancy endorsing the adage associated with the helicopters of IAF – ‘Apatsu Mitram’ meaning a ‘Friend in Distress’.
The unit helicopters and crew continue to be in a heightened state of alertness and are ever prepared to provide yeoman service to our fellow citizens.

Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Dec 30: The new guidelines of bringing negative RT-PCR test report is certainly causing great deal of inconvenience to many but for the larger interest of Islanders, this is a commendable and bold decision taken by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration and this must be supported by everyone.
However, there are some scopes of making this system more convenient atleast for Islanders who wish to return to these Islands and also for those tourists, who have made a booking for visiting Andaman.
This can be done by setting up a help desk for RT-PCR test for Islanders at Andaman Bhawans of Chennai, Port Blair, New Delhi and Vishakapattanam.
Another suggestion from public is to send some health workers to Andaman Bhawans of Chennai, Port Blair, New Delhi and Vishakapattanam for collecting samples.
This is impossible to set up RT-PCR testing unit at Andaman Bhawans but many believe that if some health workers are sent to Andaman Bhawans of Mainland on Temporary Duty, they can atleast collect samples of Islanders and tourists, who have made a booking for visiting Islanders and send the samples for testing in nearby labs. For this purpose health workers on contract can also be appointed on temporary basis by Andaman Bhawans from mainland.
This will be very helpful for Islanders and Tourists at Mainland India, because at per present system finding and undergoing RT-PCR test at mainland and also getting result on time is very difficult.
“If anything could be done to coordinate between airlines and RT-PCR testing labs for Islanders and tourists at Mainland, it will be very helpful for all,” suggested an Islander.

Vikramaditya

Port Blair, Dec 28: The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has started detailed training of medical staffs for COVID-19 vaccination (Co-WIN) and the record data will be maintained through electronic vaccine intelligence network (eVIN) app.

The eVIN has been designed by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with UNDP and GAVI and will be used effectively in Andaman, to monitor both storage and delivery of vaccines.

Sources in Andaman’s Health Department earlier told Andaman Sheekha that in first phase nearly 4856 health workers of these Islands, including all doctors, nurses, anganwadi workers etc, will be inoculated with COVID19 vaccine and these names have already uploaded in online portal of Government of India, so that there is no pilferage and spillage of the vaccine.

Sources added that necessary training for Cold Chain Handlers (CCHs) and other staffs as well as meeting in many levels including training of Doctors are over.

Nearly 34 vaccinators, who will be ANMs, will administer vaccine to health workers, initially in seven places in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and later three more locations will be added.

Insiders told Andaman Sheekha that as an especial case the Andaman Administration has requested the concerned Ministry to include the names of workers of Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samity (AAJVS) who are interacting with Jarawa and other particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) to safeguard all vulnerable tribal groups from COVID-19.

However, it is still not clear yet, which brand of COVID-19 vaccine will be sent to Andaman and Nicobar Islands but everyone is waiting anxiously for the day when COVID-19 vaccination will start in Andaman as even first phase will bring a lot of hopes for all Islanders.

 

John Wilbert
Port Blair, Dec 27: Today beat officer of Wimberlygunj area, Mr. Abdul Gafoor, Forester, N.Saheed, Forest Guard, Peter and Bandu Ram Mazdoor, while patrolling behind Medical Pahad, Reserve Forest area at Wimberlygunj, recovered a Power Chain Saw, One Hammer, One Chain and 250 ML of Petrol kept hidden behind a Padauk Tree. The Power Chain Saw and other materials used for felling trees, were seized immediately and further inquiry is on.

Gracy Tripathy
Port Blair, Dec 23: Taking a bold and commendable step, the Traffic Police unit of Andaman and Nicobar Police will be forwarding numbers of nearly 100 commercial vehicles for cancellation of permit for illegal parking of vehicle on roads, at night hours.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha over phone Dy.S.P (Traffic) Mr. Ajay Rai today said that the Traffic Police unit recently conducted a special inspection at night hours on all main roads from Port Blair to Bhatubasti to see how many commercial vehicles are parked illegally on the road at night hours and noted down the numbers.
Of late illegal parking on the road has become a nuisance for the entire city, making it difficult for Fire Tenders and Ambulances to operate in case of emergency. Even in day time such illegal parking of white and yellow board vehicles could be seen.
The step taken by the Traffic Police is laudable and public demands harsher action against those who block roads by illegal parking. Public demands similar action against white board vehicles too.
Talking about steps taken to ensure smooth movement of traffic in busy areas, Dy.SP Ajay Rai said that at Bhatubasti and Junglighat areas one side parking has yielded wonderful results and presently traffic movement is very smooth in these two places.
Regarding operation of heavy vehicles during school and rush hours, he said that necessary directions have already been issued prohibiting movement of heavy vehicles and if any heavy vehicle is still found operating in school and busy hours, necessary action will be taken.

 

John Wilbert
Port Blair, Dec 18: Today a King Cobra snake was caught from VS Palli village of Diglipur Tehsil from house of Mr. Surendra Baroi. As per details this morning at around 9:00AM one family saw a snake outside their house and soon they reported the matter to the Wildlife Division.
On information, Mr. Obed of Wildlife Division Diglipur reached the spot and rescued the snake safely and later released the snake in the deep forest, about 10KM away from villages.