The Indian Navy is set to conduct a five-day multi-speciality medical camp across the Union Territory of Lakshadweep from January 12 to 16, in a major healthcare outreach initiative aimed at strengthening civil-military cooperation and improving access to specialised medical services for island residents. The camp forms part of the Navy’s broader humanitarian and outreach efforts under its Navy Day initiatives and reflects a sustained commitment to community welfare in geographically remote regions.

According to an official press release issued on Saturday, the camp will be inaugurated by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. It is designed to provide comprehensive medical care to residents of Lakshadweep through specialist consultations, diagnostic support, treatment services and select surgical procedures, including cataract surgeries. The initiative seeks to supplement the existing healthcare infrastructure of the islands by bringing specialist and super-specialist medical expertise directly to the local population.

Lakshadweep, an archipelago of small islands in the Arabian Sea, faces unique healthcare challenges due to its geographic isolation and limited access to advanced medical facilities. While the Union Territory has an established government healthcare system consisting of district hospitals, community health centres and primary health facilities, access to specialist care often requires patients to travel to the mainland. The Indian Navy’s medical outreach programmes have played an important role in bridging this gap over the years.

The upcoming camp marks a significant upgrade from previous outreach efforts. In the past, the Navy has regularly organised medical camps across most islands of Lakshadweep, primarily focusing on primary healthcare, dental services and basic medical consultations. With advancements in healthcare delivery, increased coordination with the Lakshadweep administration and encouraging feedback from the local population, the initiative has now been expanded into a full-fledged multi-speciality medical camp.

“The multi-speciality camp is designed to complement existing healthcare services in Lakshadweep by providing access to specialist and super-specialist medical care in a coordinated and patient-centric manner,” the Navy said in its statement. The emphasis, it added, will be on early diagnosis, timely intervention and appropriate clinical management of both common and chronic illnesses.

The camp will be conducted across five major islands—Agatti, Kavaratti, Androth, Amini and Minicoy—ensuring wide geographic coverage and maximum reach. Medical services will be delivered by a joint services medical team comprising experienced doctors and specialists drawn from the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. This tri-services approach highlights the integrated role of the armed forces in humanitarian assistance and public service.

Medical consultations will be offered in a range of basic specialities, including general medicine and dental surgery, alongside super-speciality services such as cardiology, endocrinology, nephrology, neurology and gastroenterology. These services are expected to address a wide spectrum of health issues prevalent in the region, including lifestyle-related diseases, metabolic disorders, neurological conditions and chronic gastrointestinal ailments.

In addition to outpatient consultations, the camp will also facilitate cataract surgeries and select general surgical procedures. These interventions will be carried out in close coordination with local health authorities to ensure safety, efficiency and continuity of care. Specialist screening of patients has already begun on the islands, allowing medical teams to identify cases requiring surgical or advanced medical intervention well in advance of the camp.

An important feature of the initiative is its focus on follow-up care. The medical teams will guide local healthcare providers and patients on post-treatment care and long-term management, ensuring that the benefits of the camp extend beyond the five-day duration. This approach aims to strengthen the overall healthcare ecosystem of Lakshadweep rather than offering one-time interventions.

Preventive healthcare and health education will also form a central component of the outreach. Doctors and specialists will engage with community members on issues such as lifestyle-related diseases, maternal and child health, nutrition, and general wellness. These interactions are intended to raise awareness, encourage healthy practices and empower residents to take a proactive role in managing their health.

The inauguration ceremony of the medical camp is expected to be attended by senior naval and medical leadership, underlining the importance attached to the initiative. Alongside Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, those present will include Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command; Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services; and Surgeon Vice Admiral Kavita Sahai, Director General Medical Services. Senior officials from the Lakshadweep Administration and representatives of the armed forces are also likely to attend.

The Indian Navy said the camp reflects its long-standing commitment to humanitarian assistance, community engagement and service to the nation, particularly in remote and strategically important regions such as Lakshadweep. Beyond its immediate healthcare impact, the initiative is also seen as a means of strengthening goodwill and trust between the armed forces and local communities.

Lakshadweep holds strategic significance for India due to its location in the Indian Ocean, and sustained engagement with the local population is considered vital for both national security and inclusive development. Outreach programmes such as medical camps serve the dual purpose of addressing pressing civilian needs while reinforcing the Navy’s role as a force deeply connected with the people it serves.

Officials expressed confidence that the multi-speciality medical camp will benefit a large number of residents, especially those who otherwise face difficulties accessing specialist medical care. With coordinated planning, specialist expertise and strong local cooperation, the Navy hopes the initiative will set a benchmark for future healthcare outreach efforts in island territories and other remote regions of the country.

As the camp gets underway on January 12, it is expected to provide not only much-needed medical relief but also a model of how civil-military collaboration can effectively address gaps in public health delivery, particularly in areas where geography and logistics pose persistent challenges.