Concern over lack of healthcare facilities in Lakshadweep

New Delhi, Mar 10: The issue of neglect of Lakshadweep in terms of healthcare and education was raised in Rajya Sabha today, with a CPI(M) member attacking the government for its failure to set up sufficient infrastructure including hospitals in the island territory.

Raising the matter during Zero Hour, K K Ragesh said "Lakshadweep has pathetic living conditions. Even after 60 years of independence, the government has failed to ensure good health and educational institutes."

Observing that there was no referred hospital in the Union Territory, he said only one out of 12 posts in the existing hospitals had been filled up and the rest were lying vacant.

"There are no doctors in the hospitals". For medical emergency, Ragesh said that the people there have to depend on Kerala. "If patients die outside Lakshadweep, their body is not sent back. This issue needs to be addressed immediately," he said.

Ragesh also said the External Affairs Minister has taken measures to help Indians abroad and hoped that the Centre would address the concerns of the Indian island on an urgent basis. NCP member Praful Patel and others associated with the issue.

PTI