To counter the increasing mental health and substance abuse menace in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a charitable society, that is recognized for offering relief to the disadvantaged in the ongoing pandemic, has proposed the setting up of a Psychiatry and De-Addiction Centre in Port Blair. This organisation calls itself the Port Blair Guru Ki Rasoi (PBGKR). The idea is to offer affordable and comprehensive mental health care and also de-addiction services to residents on the islands.
The Proposal
In the letter to the Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the major proposal is the need for an establishment like this given the recent high level of drug use. Mandeep Grewal, who is both the founder and the president of PBGKR, has held talks with various influential people, including the former Chief Secretary and Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman, to get some endorsement for the initiative.
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Key Objectives of the Proposed Centre
1. Advances in Mental Health Care
The plan involves a variety of specific psychiatric services to diagnose, treat, and manage mental health disorders, representing a big gap in the healthcare arena. In integrating a multidisciplinary approach, patients are certain of a more holistic care that consists of psychological, social, and medical support tailored to individual needs.
2. Addiction-Recovery Programs
Every intervention in the programs that impart de-addiction does not escape the fact that an anosognosia-centered methodology is applied to the patient. The design distracts the patients’ minds from physical disturbances or associated withdrawal symptoms and, especially in connection to the initial period of detoxification, is termed a wellness model.
3. Community Outreach
Raising awareness entailed by these things does include campaigns in educating the greater public to minimize shame around a mental health or addiction event, and building a supportive community with it. It is a way to empower people to talk without fear and stigma about seeking help by working along with community members and with local leaders and stakeholders in sustaining campaigns.
4. Cooperation and Execution
To guarantee the provision of top-notch care by combining medical, psychological, and social support networks, PBGKR intends to work with a hospital in Chennai that is run by a senior and well-known psychiatrist. To find a suitable old or underutilized government building in Sri Vijaya Puram that may be converted to accommodate the proposed facility, the NGO has asked the authorities for help. Making effective use of resources and accelerating project implementation are two benefits of using an existing structure.
5. The Growing Need for Intervention
Substance misuse, especially alcohol addiction, has increased alarmingly in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. For example, there is a serious alcohol addiction epidemic in Great Nicobar, where many young people are becoming addicted to alcohol. PHC Campbell Bay, the only fully operational medical institution on the island, is already overburdened and cannot offer de-addiction therapies without placing further demands on its already meagre resources.
Additionally, the availability and use of opioids and psychotropic substances have increased due to the islands’ proximity to important maritime drug trade routes. The lack of success with sporadic anti-drug campaigns emphasizes the necessity of ongoing school-based initiatives to inculcate in children a strong distaste for drugs and psychotropics.
Community and Government Support
Mandeep Grewal highlighted that the centre would be playing a crucial role in tackling the growing issue of substance abuse in the islands. “The creation of this unit will be a significant advancement in addressing the mental health and addiction issues encountered by our community.” “Thanks to the backing of the government and local officials, we can guarantee that these services are available to those who require them,” he stated.
PBGKR became notable during the COVID-19 pandemic for its significant relief initiatives, such as providing food to those in need. After the pandemic, the organization has maintained its philanthropic activities, concentrating on sustainable community welfare initiatives. The suggested Psychiatry and De-Addiction Centre demonstrates their dedication to tackling urgent health and social challenges in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Conclusion
The establishment of a Psychiatry and De-Addiction Centre by PBGKR marks a positive, proactive and much-needed reaction to the increase in mental illness and substance use issues in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. With specialized service delivery, launching recovery programs and reaching out through the community, this centre plans to provide holistic intervention support to address individual needs.
Such collaboration with the Chennai-based institution and usage of already existing government infrastructure speaks of resource efficiency and quality care provision. Therefore, it could have a huge impact on the welfare of the residents on the island if it has support from the government and local authorities to fill this very important gap in the region’s healthcare services.
References +
Karthick, T. (2025, January 15). PBGKR proposes to establish Psychiatry and De-Addiction Centre to address rising substance abuse in Andamans, seeks support of LG and administration. Nicobar Times. https://nicobartimes.com/local-news/pbgkr-proposes-to-establish-psychiatry-and-de-addiction-centre-to-address-rising-substance-abuse-in-andamans-seeks-support-of-lg-and-administration/
Press Release. (2024). In Andaman Police Official. Andaman Police. https://www.police.andaman.gov.in/images/stories/pdf/press-release/2024/sp-cid-21-06-24.pdf
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