NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy will organise a Joint Services Multi-Speciality Medical Camp in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep from January 12 to 16 as part of its healthcare outreach and civil-military cooperation efforts, officials said on Friday.According to an official release, the five-day camp will be inaugurated by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and aims to provide comprehensive medical care to island residents through specialist consultations, treatment services and selected surgical procedures, including cataract surgeries.The camp is part of the Navy’s ongoing efforts to supplement healthcare services in Lakshadweep through regular medical outreach activities conducted around Navy Day. Over the years, these camps have focused on primary care specialities and dental surgery across most islands. With improvements in healthcare infrastructure, support from the Lakshadweep administration and positive response from residents, the initiative has now been expanded into a multi-speciality medical camp. Lakshadweep has an established government healthcare network comprising district hospitals, community health centres and primary health facilities. The Navy said the camp is designed to complement these services by providing access to specialist and super-specialist medical expertise in a coordinated and patient-centric manner, with emphasis on early diagnosis, timely intervention and appropriate clinical management of common and chronic conditions.The camp will cover Agatti, Kavaratti, Androth, Amini and Minicoy islands and will be conducted by a joint services medical team comprising specialists and medical officers from the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. Officials said the participation of all three services will ensure a wide spectrum of clinical expertise and integrated healthcare delivery.Medical consultations will be offered in several basic specialities, including dental surgery, as well as super-specialities such as cardiology, endocrinology, nephrology, neurology and gastroenterology.In addition to outpatient consultations, cataract surgeries and select general surgical procedures will be carried out in coordination with local health authorities. Screening by medical specialists is already underway in the islands, and medical teams will also guide patients on follow-up care to ensure continuity of treatment after the camp concludes.The camp will also focus on preventive healthcare and health awareness, with medical officers interacting with community members on lifestyle-related conditions, maternal and child health, nutrition and general wellness.The inauguration ceremony will be attended by senior naval leadership, including Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services, and Surgeon Vice Admiral Kavita Sahai, Director General Medical Services (Navy). Senior officials from the Lakshadweep administration and the armed forces are also expected to be present.Officials said the initiative is expected to benefit a large number of residents and further strengthen trust and goodwill between the Indian Navy and the people of Lakshadweep.
