Header

Tribal Health

Andaman and Nicobar Islands are home for six Scheduled Tribes accounting for 8% of the total population, of which five belongs to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTGs), earlier known as is primitive Tribal Group (PTG) while sixth the advanced one. Jarawa, Onges, Great Andamanese, Shompens and Senteneles tribes constitute PVTGs and Nicobarese are the advanced tribe.

Tribals of these Islands are characterized by distinctive culture and Socio-economic background. They are distributed in various ecological zones with immense variation in subsistence pattern, technological development, ways of living and contact with outside world. The tribal population primarily inhabits rural and remote areas and is among the most vulnerable and marginalized section of the society. The Health indices are influenced by a number of Socio-cultural conditions, religious, ethnic and environmental factors.

The disease profile among the PVTGs varies across the area and population.  Among the prevalent diseases,Chronic Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis, Respiratory tract Infection, Diarrheal disorder, skin infection, trauma and Iron deficiency mostly in women and children are major issues reported in PVTGs. Out of the five vulnerable tribes, the Great Andamanese and Onges have adopted the modern way of living but still profess their traditional skill of hunting, gathering, food collection, tribal medicines etc.

 The Jarawas                                                              

The Jarawas inhabit the South and Middle Andaman areas. They practice their traditional life style and culture and continue with hunting, food gathering, and honey collection. An area of 1028 Sq. Km has been reserved for their subsistence from Constance Bay in South Andaman to Lewis inlet bay in Middle Andaman.

Demographic Profile of Jarawa Tribe Viz.Kadamtala, Jirkatang and Tirur

As on February 2025

The Onges

The Onges are 140 in number and settled in Dugong Creek. They are hunters and food gatherers. Even though they have experienced the taste of modernization and eat food with salt and spice, they still continue their traditional habits of canoe making, fish, turtle and wild boar hunting. They collect plenty of honey during the season.

The population of Onges has been around 95-100 since last many years. To prevent any kind of disaster such as the one that occurred in December 2006 or any kind of epidemic outbreak, the workers at ground level need to be sensitized thoroughly. The ANM, male Health worker and a Mid-Level Health Provider/CHO have been posted at H & WC, Dugong Creek to work round the clock. The Deputy Director (TH) visits Dugong creek frequently for organizing Disease Burden Surveys, multi-Specialty Health Camps and giving in situ treatment to the Onges to avoid infant mortality.

Population Of Ongees at Onge Settlement Dugong Creek as on February 2025.

The Great Andamanese

 The Great Andamanese were more than 10000 in number but severely impacted by British policy and their number came to 19. They were settled at Strait Island by the Administration. Presently their population is 79 (58 + 21 non-tribes).

Demographic Profile of Great Andamanese as on February 2025

The Shompens

The Shompens live in Great Nicobar islands. They are scattered in different pocketsin the entire islands which is divisible into various bands. Their present population is 247. Provision of health care to the members of the Shompen tribe is to reduce mortality and morbidity affliction with diseases to which their systems have no immunity.

Demographic Information of the Shompen

The Sentinelese

The Sentinelese is the inhabitants of North Sentinel Island. As per the prevailing policy decision taken, all types of contact or expeditions to North Sentinel Island have been stopped. Their population is estimated to be around 50. The experts have advised that the Administration must have “eyes on” policy in respect of Sentinelese rather than the present policy of “hands off”. A new Circumnavigation protocol has been issued by the Administration for ensuing security and safety of the Sentinelese. 

Health Infrastructures of PVTGs Areas

The following Health care and medical facilities are extended by the Administration:-

          i.    Exclusive medical wards in PHCs located near the Jarawa Reserve at Tushnabad, Kadamtala and GB Pant Hospital, Port Blair have been set up for treatment of Jarawas.  Such wards are also declared as Tribal Reserve under the Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Regulation, 1956 to prevent any interaction of the un-authorized non-tribals with the PVTGs.

        ii.    Medical Sub-Centres have been established by the Administration at Dugong Creek in Little Andaman & Strait Island for providing the health care facilities to the Onges & Great Andamanes tribe. Special Health Camps with Specialists are organized time to time at Dugong Creek & Strait Island.

          iii.   Health Card of Each individual of PVTGs is maintained in the sub-centres and are regularly updated.

       iv.   Deputy Director (tribal Health) along with Para-Medical staffs of this Directorate periodically visits the Jarawa/Shompen/Onges/Andamanes areas to provide in-situ health care.  In case of any emergency, the patients are evacuated for specialized treatment to the nearest hospitals/G B Pant Hospital at Port Blair or even to the mainland along with attendant/medical escort for specialized treatment at the cost borne by the Administration.

         v.   The expertise available with the Central Govt Institutions like RMRC, AYUSH & G B Pant Hospital of this Administration is utilized for the well-being of the PVTGs from time to time.

       vi.   Nutritional supplements are being provided to the pregnant women, lactating mothers and infants belonging to Onges & Andamanese tribe through AAJVS.

        vii.   For the Shompens living deep inside the forests in Great Nicobar Island and which is in-accessible, the department of tribal Welfare is exploring feasibility of having temporary/emergency helipads close to their habitation for extending medical aid and evacuation of serious patients in case of emergency.

       viii.   The Department of Tribal Welfare and Health with the help of AYUSH has decided to take up the documentation of medicinal plants used by the Nicobarese and the medical practices followed by them for healing for their record and benefit of the tribal group.

          ix.   Currently Shompen/Nicobarese/Onge patients are airlifted to Sri Vijaya Puram for treatment in case of emergency from Car Nicobar, Campbell Bay and Dugong Creek by the Administration by air (Helicopters).

          x.   For Disease Surveillance, a health team comprising of ANM and Janjati Sevak regularly visit the Jarawa Camps. Female Janjati Sevaks are also posted at Jarawa Camps for confidence building measures. This Directorate imparts necessary basic training to the ANM’s and Janjati sevaks.

         xi.   Exclusively for the Jarawa tribe Six ANMs are appointed by the AAJVS to cater health services.

         xii.   One more Jarawa in-patient ward is made operational at PHC Ferrargunj with separate eco-friendly structure.

      xiii.   Awareness-cum-screening camp for substance abuse disorders for Andamanese tribe conducted time to time at their habitat at Strait Island in association with ANIIMS and AAJVS.

          xiv.   ANC checkups are done regularly to all PVTGs pregnant mothers and identified higher risk Mothers are referred to higher health institutions.

          xv.   100% institutional delivery is being conducted among Onges and Andamanese PVTGs.

          xvi.   Routine Immunization is being done to all PVTGs children and pregnant mothers.

          xvii.   All PVTGs patients required with super specialized treatments are referred to the recognized hospitals at Mainland.

The routine health care of the tribes are taken care by the Medical Officer of nearest Health facility.

                           i.          PHC Tushnabad, PHC Ferrargunj, PHC Baratang and PHC Kadamtala provide health care for Jarawas.

                         ii.          PHC Campbell Bay provides health care to Shompens.

                        iii.          PHC Ramakrishnapur provides health care of Onges with the staffs stationed at Dugong Creek Health & Wellness Centre.

                        iv.          PHC Havelock/Swaraj Dweep provides health care of Andamanese with the staffs stationed at Strait Island Sub centre.

To take care of the health requirement of the PVTGs in Andaman & Nicobar Islands for which the Administration is fully committed and always ready in extending any kind of welfare of the PVTGs and STs of A & N Islands.

Eco friendly Jarawa Ward at PHC Ferrargunj.