Lakshadweep MP meets Kerala CM, seeks state support to improve healthcare, connectivity

Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed. | Photo credit: FILE

Lakshadweep Lok Sabha MP Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed called on Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan and sought his support and cooperation in providing modern health facilities to the islanders; accommodation facilities for them during emergencies and disasters; better shipping options to the island from Beypore and help prevent drug trafficking to Lakshadweep.

Mr. Sayeed is the president of the Lakshadweep Pradesh Congress Committee and the only Lok Sabha representative of the union territory. Pointing out the unique and cordial relationship between the people of Lakshadweep and Kerala for generations, Mr. Sayeed sought the State’s help in providing timely, affordable and quality super specialized health services to the islanders.

He pointed out that islanders routinely travel to Kerala for advanced treatment – oncology, cardiology, neurology, nephrology and urgent care – mainly at government hospitals in Ernakulam, Kalamassery, Kottayam and Kozhikode, and that many of them are going through serious financial difficulties.

Mr. Sayeed asked the Chief Minister to set up a dedicated help desk or nodal facilitation center in these hospitals to help in admissions, referrals and coordination of treatment and for the state to provide adequate hospital beds and ICU capacity for Lakshadweep patients.

Temporary accommodation

The petition also raised the issue of temporary accommodation for islanders – students, workers, patients and tourists – during floods, cyclones and other emergencies when maritime traffic is disrupted. Mr. Sayeed pointed out that most of the guest houses of the Lakshadweep administration in Kerala have been given to private operators and are no longer easily accessible.

Mr. Sayeed also raised the issue of connectivity between the islands and the Beypore port in Kerala, which plays a key role in transporting essential commodities, food supplies and commercial cargo to the islands.

He sought Mr. Satheesan’s intervention in strengthening the port infrastructure to enable better cargo handling as well as resumption of the long canceled Beypore-Lakshadweep passenger ship service which he said had caused hardship to students, patients and senior citizens in Lakshadweep.

He asked the state to coordinate with the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Lakshadweep administration on this front.

Finally, Mr. Sayeed lauded Kerala for Operation Toofan, the state’s anti-drug campaign, and asked that the scope of the campaign be extended to Lakshadweep. He said there has been growing concern in recent years about attempts by drug smuggling networks to introduce narcotics to the islands via sea routes.

Sharing intelligence

He called for stronger intelligence sharing between the Kerala Police, Excise Department, Coastal Police and port authorities to bust the networks of drug traffickers who were smuggling drugs into the islands.

He also suggested that the islands be included in Kerala’s proposed port-to-port freight and passenger connectivity initiative as it would strengthen maritime connectivity, promote tourism and trade, and promote wider economic development of the islands.

Mr. Sayeed expressed confidence that the new UDF government would continue Kerala’s “long tradition” of cooperation and support for the island community and that the Chief Minister would consider his requests favorably.

Published – 15 Jul 2026 17:20 IST