The camp, organised by the Tri-Services Armed Forces Medical Services, provides advanced diagnostic facilities, specialist care, and planned surgeries, including nearly 50 sight-restoring cataract operations conducted within just two days. Raksha Mantri emphasized early diagnosis, timely medical advice, and free medicine distribution, all contributing to long-term health benefits for the island communities.
Synergy, Scope, and Scale: A Model Initiative
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi highlighted the uniqueness of the initiative, describing it as remarkable in synergy, with coordination among all three services and local administration; scope, covering cardiology, ophthalmology, nephrology, neurology, gastroenterology, dermatology, endocrinology and more; and scale, with significant deployment of medical and support personnel. He added that joint initiatives like this strengthen civil-military cooperation and deliver meaningful impact for citizens.
Island Outreach and Patient Stories
The camp spans five islands: Amini, Androth, Agatti, Kavaratti, and Minicoy, ensuring maximum outreach. Dedicated ophthalmology teams at Kavaratti and other islands performed cataract surgeries to restore vision to many residents. Among them, 65-year-old Kuni Koya from Amini regained his sight after years of near-blindness, and 68-year-old Khalid C of Agatti expressed his joy at seeing clearly for the first time in a decade.
Holistic Wellness and Preventive Care
The camp also emphasizes holistic wellbeing in line with PM Shri Narendra Modi’s vision, focusing on preventive healthcare, lifestyle modification, mental well-being, nutrition, and yoga. Residents were guided on incorporating millets into their diets, supporting sustainable and traditional food practices, and adopting wellness routines for long-term health benefits.
Supporting Government Healthcare Initiatives
This initiative complements Lakshadweep’s established healthcare infrastructure of district hospitals, community health centres, and primary facilities, enhancing access to specialist and super-specialist care.