We are working towards Female Foeticide free Dakshina Kannada: DHO Ramakrishna
Mangaluru: “The district administration is committed towards cleaning the district off female foeticide” Dakshina Kannada District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. Ramakrishna said in a press conference on Wednesday.
Addressing the press conference here at the Mangaluru Press Club, Dr. Ramakrishna, along with his team elaborated about the various schemes and programs, the district health administration is offering to the people of the district.
Dr. Ramakrishna said that his team is primarily focusing on the well being of girl child, and hence their main aim is to make the district female foeticide free, and also to make sure that the pregnant women in the district gets proper treatment.
Elaborating more on the schemes and programs for child welfare, District’s Surveillance officer Dr. Rajesh, added that several ‘Nagu Magu’ Ambulances have been deputed in the district which are only for pregnant patients, in addition with the 29 108 ambulances, making the average reaching time of ambulances only 20 minutes.
“The Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHC) have also been opened in the district while two bike ambulances are operating, to reach out to people in remote locations or in distress” Dr. Rajesh added.
Dr. Ramakrishna also added that a special Malaria control programme has been put in place, which led by Dr. Arun Kumar, who is thriving to make the district Malaria free.
Speaking of the stress management and suicide prevention programme for schools and college students, the DHO informed that a team of Psychologists and Psychiatrists have been formed who are visiting schools and colleges and conducting workshops and seminar on ‘how to face exams’ and ‘stress management’, while a helpline for the schools have also been opened for such cases.
“Schools or students can contact the helpline, in case students are undergoing depression, and we will immediately counseling for them” he added.
Mangalore THO, Dr. Naveen Chandra Kulal, Dr. Arun Kumar, Dr. Ratnakar and other officials were present during the press conference.
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UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
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Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
