All set for launch of Kanti Velugu today

Khammam: Elaborate arrangements have been made by the district administration for the launch of the State government’s flagship programme, Kanti Velugu, on August 15 here.

The programme is aimed at conducting eye screening and vision test for all citizens in the district along with providing spectacles free of cost, if necessary. The administration has made a provision for surgeries for patients free of charges.

At a meeting with the health officials, District Collector D S Lokesh Kumar directed the authorities to ensure that every individual in villages gets the benefit. He wanted the officials to procure enough medicines and spectacles for distributing them to the people after conducting screening tests.

He also said the district administration appointed 36 eye specialists along with 36 health officials, 125 supervisors, 386 ANMs and 1,375 ASHA workers for implementing the programme successfully. 

One team is comprised of 10 members which includes one eye specialist, one helper, three ANMs, a pharmacist and a staff nurse along with other health staff, he added.

District Medical and Health Officer Kondal Rao said catering to the needs of a population of 14.39 lakhs around 36 teams are constituted to conduct eye screening tests from August 15. The patients would be given free medicines and spectacles at the special medical camps in 21 mandals across the district.

Each team will be given a vehicle. About 250 persons in rural areas and about 300 persons in urban areas are expected to be screened in a day in each camp. The camps will remain open from morning 9 am to evening 5 pm, he informed.

On the very first day on August 15, eight camps will be established in the Khammam city. At Bhuranpuram Community hall, Nayi Brahaman Community Hall, VDO’s colony, Dhanvaigudem, Bankcolony, Mustafanagar Saint Mary’s Hospital, Prakashnagar Traffic ACP office and at Rajendranagar Government High School, he added.

As per the survey conducted by the Medical and Health Department about 1.56 lakhs of people require spectacles (Which may range from between 1.00 to 2.50 point). The Health officials prepared the report and submitted it to the government beforehand.

Roads and Buildings Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao will launch the programme on August 15 on the occasion of Independence Day at the Government High School at Rajendranagar in Khammam city.