Illuminating lives of schoolchildren in Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam: With an aim to spot vision problems at an early stage and consider measures to rectify them, the flagship programme of the State government 'YSR Kanti Velugu' is set to benefit to 6.40 lakh students studying from Classes I to X in 5,400 recognised schools across Visakhapatnam district.

As a part of the first phase of the initiative, over 4,000 government and private schools in the district will be covered. Assisted by a team of trained teachers, Asha workers, and officials from the Health Department, the eye screening will commence from October 10 and continues for the next six days.

Marking the 'World Sight Day,' observed on the second Thursday of October, the State government's initiative of Dr Y S R Kanti Velugu will be launched on the same day, catering to 6.40 lakh schoolchildren studying in recognised schools in the district.

Health Department in collaboration with the Regional Eye Hospital provided training to teachers in schools to carry out the eye test. "Of the number of students to be screened, we are expecting about 30,000 students to have different types of vision-related issues who will further be re-examined in the next phase of the Kanti Velugu programme," District Medical and Health Officer S. Tirupathi Rao told The Hans India.

Based on the reports generated after the initial screening, further examination would be recommended for those suffering from vision-related problems. "Following which, either free spectacles will be distributed, or surgical intervention will be recommended for those who are in need of it," elaborates the DM&HO.

With District Collector V Vinay Chand as chairman of Kanti Velugu, DM&HO as nodal officer, technical support for the initiative is being extended by Regional Eye Hospital. Kits to conduct the eye screening have already been delivered to primary health centres and the screening will take place till 16th of this month.