https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Making the Islands Safe

By imposing strict protocols and strengthening the healthcare system, the South Andaman district administration is not only coming one up on the second wave but on the possible third wave too.
Indian Masterminds Stories

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.”

Imposing strict restriction in the district

“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.”

100 oxygen concentrators allotted from Switzerland

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.

Travelling to the remotest islands of the district to vaccinate people

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.

Providing essentials to the needy

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.”

Covid care centre in South Andaman district

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.”

Mr. Suneel Anchipaka with the district administration team

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.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) Awards
Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) Clinches Twin Honours with Best CMA CFO & Cost Excellence Titles at CMA Awards 2024 for Financial Leadership
Jharia coalfield region
Rs 5,940-Cr Jharia Plan Cleared: Govt to Provide Livelihood Grant, Credit Support to Displaced Families - Sustainable Rehabilitation
NALCO Initiative
Powering Performance: NALCO Launches High-Strength IA90 Alloy Ingot, Targeting India’s Growing Auto Sector - Details Inside
Union Bank of India UBI
Union Bank Board Clears ₹6,000 Cr Capital Raise; ₹3,000 Cr via Equity, ₹3,000 Cr via Bonds
IRCTC
Leadership Update: Mukesh Saini Appointed as Chief Regional Officer at IRCTC Jaipur
THDC-resized
Energy Innovation Boost: THDCIL Signs Landmark Agreement with Gujarat for 184 MW from Tehri Pumped Storage Plant
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services (IAS)
Centre Flags IAS Officer’s OBC Certificate, Maharashtra Government Ordered to Probe
Bihar Government-resized-IM
From Schemes to Services: Bihar Nears 100% Completion of Ambedkar Seva Abhiyan with 92% Camps Held
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-25 at 5.07
Why Has the DGCA Fined Air India Rs 5 Crore Since Privatisation?
Former Diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar
Iran Is Weakest Now, Needs a Face-Saver
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-23 at 12.39
Retired Officers Lead 7-Day Mission to Revive Betwa River with 55 Check Dams | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Sanish Kumar Singh
“If you want it badly enough, you’ll find a way,” Sanish Kumar Singh AIR 8, UPSC IFS 2024 
The real interview, he says, was much more humane. “The board was conversational. The chairman opened...
Raju Wagh
When the Battlefield Became a Study Room and a Dream Took Flight
Amid IED blasts and anti-Maoist operations in Bastar, CRPF Commando Raju Wagh taught village kids, studied...
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-18 at 10.31
"I Just Wanted to Breathe Again": The Man Who Fought Death and Made It to UPSC
Struck by COVID at the peak of his UPSC prep, Devanand Telgote spent months on ECMO, unsure he'd live,...
Social Media
Tigress Arrowhead
The End of an Era: A Queen Falls - Ranthambore’s Iconic Tigress Arrowhead (T-84) Passes Away at 14, Hours After Daughter’s Relocation
Ranthambore mourns the loss of one of its fiercest and most beloved tigers, Arrowhead, the granddaughter...
Screenshot 2025-06-13 194001
Wild Elephant Disrupts Riverside Picnic, Sparks Debate on Human Encroachment; IFS Parveen Kumar Shares the Video - Watch Here!
Mr. Kaswan used the viral video, which has garnered over 1.5 lakh views, to highlight the risks of human...
Tiger jump Sundarban
Stunning Viral Video Shows Royal Bengal Tiger Making Spectacular 30-Foot Leap Across River in Sunderbans - See It Here
Retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Susanta Nanda shared the clip online, which quickly went...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) Awards
Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) Clinches Twin Honours with Best CMA CFO & Cost Excellence Titles at CMA Awards 2024 for Financial Leadership
Jharia coalfield region
Rs 5,940-Cr Jharia Plan Cleared: Govt to Provide Livelihood Grant, Credit Support to Displaced Families - Sustainable Rehabilitation
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-25 at 5.07
Former Diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-23 at 12.39
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT