District administration launches first-of-its-kind ‘Blindness-free Shivamogga’ initiative
Shivamogga: In a pioneering move aimed at eliminating preventable blindness, the Shivamogga district administration has launched “Blindness-free Shivamogga”, the first initiative of its kind in Karnataka.
“This is a holistic approach to treating people with eye disorders, irrespective of their financial status. The programme begins this month,” Deccan Herald quoted Kiran, District Leprosy Control Officer and programme in-charge, as saying.
Unlike the national blindness control programme where patients must visit clinics on their own, Blindness-Free Shivamogga reverses the model. Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) workers will conduct door-to-door screenings using a mobile app developed specifically for the initiative. The app contains questions on visual health. Based on responses, ASHA workers identify potential patients and refer them to nearby sub-health centres for primary screening.
“Medical services are free for people from all sections of society, not just for BPL families. This has not been done anywhere in the country,” added Kiran.
The scheme is the brainchild of Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer (CEO) N. Hemanth. He emphasised the critical need for early intervention. “Many people are not aware of this and they consult ophthalmologists when the problem reaches the final stage. Blindness-free Shivamogga is designed to overcome exactly this,” DH quoted as Hemanth as saying.
To widen the programme’s footprint, expert doctors will visit villages through coordination with gram panchayats and Primary Health Centres (PHCs). Over 250 sub-health centres will be involved in the eye screening process across the district’s population of 18 lakh. Hemanth estimates that more than half of the population may suffer from some form of eye disorder.
“Till now, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy were not being addressed in general hospitals. Only private hospitals were attending to such patients and people had to spend a lot of money. We are providing free treatment,” DH quoted Hemanth as saying.
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Udhayanidhi accuses BJP of not releasing funds for TN
Gobichettipalayam (PTI): Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday charged the BJP government at the Centre with not releasing funds to the state and accused it of "snatching" TN's rights.
Addressing a poll rally at Gobichettipalayam in the western Erode district, the DMK youth wing chief claimed the Centre has not released funds to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore for education.
"They (union government) have snatched all our rights," he charged.
With regard to the Centre's proposal for delimitation, he said chief minister M K Stalin was the first person in the country to raise the voice against the union government's move. He claimed that it was a "huge victory" for the INDIA alliance, as the bill was defeated for lack of majority after the opposition voted against it in the Lok Sabha.
Listing out various welfare measures implemented by the DMK government, he said the existing "Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai" (monthly financial assistance for women) will be doubled to Rs 2,000 if DMK was voted to power again.
The deputy chief minister charged that the BJP and AIADMK have tried to stall it by moving the court. "At present more than 1.3 crore women have benefited from the scheme", he said.
"Similarly, the breakfast scheme for the government school students will be extended till Class VIII", he said adding "more than 35 lakh college students across the state will be getting free laptops once the DMK government is formed".
Udhayanidhi also pointed out at the "Illatharasi" poll promise, providing Rs 8,000 worth of coupons to non-income tax paying women where they could buy or replace any household appliances of their choice.
Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23 and the results declared on May 4 following counting of polled votes.
