In a way, the second wave of Covid 19 in India is somewhat similar to what happened in the USA and Brazil last year. The country is indeed going through the toughest time right now, but during the same time, many states and district in the country are taking various steps to minimize the spread by following the protocols strictly.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a picturesque but far-flung Union Territory in the Bay of Bengal, is also taking various proactive measures in this regard despite having limited healthcare facilities. The group of islands, which is a major tourist hotspot in India, recorded 16 deaths during this devastating wave and currently has around 214 active cases.
We at Indian Masterminds spoke with the District Collector of South Andaman, Mr Suneel Anchipaka and learnt about the proactive measures taken in regards to healthcare, incoming passengers, administration and social welfare of the people.
IMPOSING STRICT RESTRICTIONS
Liberally dotted with several eye-catching destinations and magnificent islands, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a tourist hub and a gateway for many people even during these tought times. Therefore, the major risk prevails with the incoming passengers visiting the islands.
While speaking to Indian Masterminds, District Collector South Andaman district Suneel Anchipaka said “Port Blair is the only entry point to Andaman & Nicobar Islands. To curb the entry of positive cases into the islands, we issued orders making it mandatory for all incoming passengers to have negative RT-PCR test report conducted 48 hours prior to the journey since the last week of Dec. 2020.”
“Further, to cross-check and avoid any malpractice with regard to fake RT-PCR report, we made RAT test mandatory for all incoming passengers from 16 April 2021. Also, an order was issued for compulsory home quarantine of incoming passengers for 7 days,” he added.
STRENGTHING THE HEALTH CARE
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are administered under special statutes promulgated by the President under Article 240 of the Constitution of India, and have limited health facilities. To boost the healthcare sector, the administration has decentralized the Community Health Center (CHC), Primary Health Centre (PHC) & Urban Health Centres (UHC) and have strengthened the sufficient infrastructure such as medical staff, ambulances, vehicles for medicine distribution and field surveillance, PPE kits, masks, gloves and sanitizers.
Mr. Suneel said “To combat the pandemic, isolation wards have been opened at local levels with the help of PRIs/ULB. Oxygen facilities have been ensured and with the efforts of the A&N Administration, 100 oxygen concentrators from Switzerland are allotted to A&N Islands.”
Apart from this, field surveillance has also been intensified as around 64,840 people out of 2,31,817 have been surveyed for influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) cases.
Vaccination drive is also being carried out in full capacity, as 96.96 percent of beneficiaries above 45 years of age are vaccinated for the first dose. The administration is also taking unique steps along with the Civil Society Organisations in which they are reaching out to remote islands of Rutland, Shaheed Dweep, and Swarajdweep, where 100% and in Little Andaman around 90% vaccination has been achieved respectively for persons above the age group of 45.
SOCIAL WELFARE
As many states are under temporary lockdown, migrant workers in many parts of the country are suffering with no work and no income in hand. In view of construction workers, the district administration has allowed in-situ construction and have also instructed the contractors to provide food and shelter to the workers during such hard times.
Apart from this, the administration in coordination with line departments and Civil Society Organisations, have started distributing ration kits to the needy. The kits include rice, wheat, oil, onion, potato, dal and salt.
As people all over the country are observing the holy month of Ramzan/Iftar celebrations, the district administration has set up special vaccination camps specifically for the Muslim community in the evening between 5 pm to 8 pm at various locations. Also, food packets are distributed to break their fast.
ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES
Mr. Suneel said “Following bottom-up approach, we interacted with local media, religious and political leaders to have their support in the fight against COVID-19 and their suggestions were considered in making important decisions. Orders were issued for closing down all religious institutions for public worship and other purposes in consultation with various religious organisations.”
Awareness regarding Covid 19 was made by special broadcasts through radio platforms like All India Radio. A control room was built in which doctors and representatives were appointed to answer every emergency call and take immediate steps to mitigate the issues and grievances raised by the general public.
Mr. Suneel also added, “An integrated COVID management portal is being created to disseminate information on all services provided by the Administration and also provide statistics of COVID management like vaccination, hospitals, bed availability etc.”
While the second wave of COVID-19 has brought us to a standstill, the administration in in these parts of the islands is standing as vanguard in the fight against this pandemic. It’s taking all out measures and precautions to avert the third wave, which many fear might be round the corner.
