The Health Department of Andaman and Nicobar has been undertaking various initiatives for smooth functioning of health infrastructure as well as the projects implemented, Dr Monica Priyadarshini, Special Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Government of India, shares initiatives taken up by the department in an interview with Rajbala of Elets News Network (ENN).

Dr Monica Priyadarshini, Special Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Government of India

Please share the latest digital initiatives implemented by the Health Department in Andaman and Nicobar.

Leveraging digital technologies will improvise health making it affordable, efficient and cost-effective.

We have taken various digital initiatives to foster healthcare in the region and disseminate reliable, authentic and updated health information for citizens, students, healthcare professionals and researchers.

Our recent major projects undertaken include e-hospital which has been implemented in G B Pant Hospital at Port Blair, which is the super speciality hospital in the islands.

In addition, we have implemented Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in Dulari Scheme for girl child.

Indian healthcare industry has made entry at the global level because of high quality of diverse clinical expertise and low cost of treatment, how do you view medical tourism as an opportunity?

High quality of diverse clinical expertise and low cost of treatment are keys to India, becoming world leader in medical tourism. For Andaman and Nicobar Islands, its scenic beauty, clean air, clear water, serene environment and ample health infrastructure availability is best suited to promote medical tourism.

The region has a good potential for AYUSH therapies like Panchkarma for holistic well being of tourists. We have plans to setup Panchakarma Wellness centre in Havelock Island which would attract medical tourists.

How PPP model plays an important role in developing medical tourism sector in the country? Are you also looking forward for any partnership or have done any sort of tie-ups?

Public Private Partnership scheme was launched during 2010-11 to operationalise two public healthcare centres (PHCs) viz PHC Chouldari in South Andaman district and PHC Kishorinagar in North and Middle Andaman District.

Also, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between an NGO namely VHAI- Aparjita and Andaman and Nicobar Administration in this regard.

PPP model can play a very important role to boost medical tourism in the country. We are looking forward for private partnership in the AYUSH sector in the near future.

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