Lakshadweep is a unique place to raise a child because of the special health issues that come with living on a beautiful island. If you are expecting a child or just brought a new baby home to one of these beautiful islands, you may be thinking about immunizations, getting medical care, and keeping your child healthy in this faraway tropical paradise. Do not worry, I will tell you everything you need to know!
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The Amazing Progress Our Islands Have Made in Health Care
Have a happy holiday! Lakshadweep has reached 100% vaccination coverage for children! Yes, all children on our islands are protected against six major diseases that can be avoided. In fact, we have not had polio in over ten years. That is really amazing for a Union Territory that is 220–440 km off the coast of Kerala.
NFHS-5 statistics show that 91.7% of children aged 12 to 23 months have all of their vaccinations, which is better than the national rate of 83.8%! And 94.2% of our babies get the very important BCG shot, which protects them from getting tuberculosis from birth.
The full list of shots your baby needs
I will break down the vaccination schedule for you in easy terms because it can be hard to keep track of all the shots.
Your baby gets three important shots right away: BCG (that little mark on the left upper arm that guards against TB), Hepatitis B birth dose (antero-lateral thigh), and OPV-0 (oral polio drops). People usually get these at the Indira Gandhi Hospital in Kavaratti, the RGSH in Agatti, or the Community Health Center closest to them.
When they are 6 weeks old, it is time for their first round of combo shots! Your child will get OPV-1, Pentavalent-1 (which guards against five diseases!), Rotavirus, fractional IPV (for polio), and in some places, PCV-1 (for pneumococcal).
10 weeks: OPV-2, Pentavalent-2, and Rotavirus-2 in the second round.
After 14 weeks, the third round includes OPV-3, Pentavalent-3, fractional IPV-2, Rotavirus-3, and PCV-2 if useful.
9 to 12 months: Measles and rubella (MR-1), JE-1 in places where it is common, PCV-Booster, and the first dose of vitamin A (1 lakh IU).
16 to 24 months: extra time! Vit A (2 lakh IU), MR-2, JE-2, DPT-Booster-1, and OPV-Booster. The vitamin A keeps coming every six months until the child is five years old.
How to Vaccinate Your Child in Lakshadweep
Indira Gandhi Hospital, Kavaratti, is our main hospital. It has 50 beds and 19 doctors, some of whom are nurses. They provide regular shots, care for mothers, and emergency services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Under the National Immunization Schedule, all shots are free of charge.
The RGSH Hospital in Agatti—This is the place to go if you are on Agatti or one of the nearby islands. It has 40 beds and great emergency rooms. They have pediatricians on hand and offer all kinds of vaccinations.
Community health centers are open on Amini (30–50 beds) and other islands with people living on them. These provide health services for mothers and children, such as full vaccine programs.
Primary Health Centers (PHCs): Every island with people has one! There are primary health care centers with 6 to 10 beds in Kadmat, Minicoy, Androth, Kalpeni, Kiltan, Chetlat, and Bitra. These centers have medical staff who give regular shots and care for newborns.
The PMJAY Benefit for Families on the Island
Good news: Families in Lakshadweep who are qualified for Ayushman Bharat PMJAY can get up to 5 lakh rupees a year in free medical care. This covers secondary and tertiary care, but the government's Universal Immunization Program already makes regular shots free.
Families who qualify can get help from PMJAY with the costs of taking their babies to Kochi or other towns on the mainland if they need specialized care that is not available on the islands.
Health Tips for Your Baby That Are Unique to the Island
Humidity and Skin Care: Because we live in a humid area, you should pay extra attention to your baby's skin. Wear cotton clothes that let air pass through, make sure they have enough airflow, and keep an eye out for heat rash or fungal diseases.
For safety reasons, you should only use hot or filtered water to make formula. As a child's immune system is still growing, Lakshadweep relies on keeping watery diseases away.
Protection from mosquitoes: Use insect nets that are safe for babies, especially at night. Babies can also get dengue and other diseases spread by mosquitoes.
Planning your trip: If you need to go to the country to give birth or get expert care, make plans ahead of time. Every day, flights leave Kochi for Agatti, but the weather can change the times.
In case of an emergency, remember to save the number 104 for free medical advice and rescue services. Find out when the inter-island boats leave from your island so you can get out quickly if you need to.
Help with breastfeeding: All PHCs and CHCs offer services for women's health, such as guidance on how to nurse. Do not be afraid to ask. Our strong mother care system shows that 90% of Lakshadweep women get 4 ANC check-ups.
The Truth About Parenting on an Island
Yes, there are no private hospitals or medical schools here; the government runs all of our health care. Also, yes, advanced care does sometimes need to be sent to the mainland. However, the good news is that your baby will get great preventive care and tracking because our island communities are very close and our government puts a lot of effort into improving the health of mothers and children.
Every island with people has gynecologists stationed there, which improves the results of births. Our 99.9% rate of births in hospitals (100% in public facilities) shows how easy it has become to get maternity care.
Parent on an island, take a deep breath! This is a great place for your baby's health.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Infant Health in Lakshadweep
Q1: Are all vaccinations free for babies in Lakshadweep?
Yes! All vaccines under the National Immunization Schedule are provided completely free at government health facilities – PHCs, CHCs, and hospitals across all inhabited islands.
Q2: What is Lakshadweep's infant immunization coverage rate?
Lakshadweep has achieved 100% immunization coverage for six key preventable diseases. 91.7% of children aged 12-23 months are fully vaccinated (NFHS-5), higher than India's 83.8% national average.
Q3: Which Lakshadweep hospitals handle infant vaccinations and newborn care?
Indira Gandhi Hospital (Kavaratti), RGSH Hospital (Agatti), Community Health Centres (Amini and others), and Primary Health Centres on all 10 inhabited islands provide complete vaccination and newborn care services.
Q4: What vaccines does my newborn get immediately after birth in Lakshadweep?
Within 24 hours of birth: BCG (left upper arm), Hepatitis B birth dose (thigh), and OPV-0 (oral drops). These protect against tuberculosis, hepatitis B, and polio respectively.
Q5: What if my baby needs specialized care not available on the islands?
Hospitals arrange referrals to Kochi or other mainland cities. Eligible families can use Ayushman Bharat PMJAY benefits (₹5 lakh coverage) for secondary/tertiary care. Daily flights connect Agatti to Kochi.
Q6: How do I access emergency healthcare for my infant on the islands?
Call helpline 104 for free ambulance services and medical consultation. All PHCs have 24/7 medical officers, and CHCs/hospitals have emergency facilities. Inter-island boat services coordinate emergency evacuations.
Q7: Are there pediatricians available in Lakshadweep?
Yes! Indira Gandhi Hospital (Kavaratti) and RGSH (Agatti) have pediatricians on staff among their 19 and multiple doctors respectively. PHCs have trained medical officers handling routine infant care.
Q8: What maternal health services does Lakshadweep offer for expectant mothers?
99.9% institutional deliveries (100% in public facilities), gynecologists posted on every inhabited island, 90% of women receive 4+ ANC check-ups, postnatal care tracking, and maternal mortality ratio dropped from 160 to 85.
Q9: What specific health precautions should Lakshadweep parents take for infants?
Use boiled/filtered water for formula, maintain skin hygiene in humid climate, use mosquito nets, ensure proper ventilation, watch for heat rash/fungal infections, and follow up vaccination schedules promptly at nearest PHC.
Q10: Can I get my baby vaccinated on any inhabited island in Lakshadweep?
Absolutely! All 10 inhabited islands (Kavaratti, Agatti, Amini, Kadmat, Minicoy, Androth, Kalpeni, Kiltan, Chetlat, Bitra) have Primary Health Centres offering routine vaccinations, making access convenient wherever you live.
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