Achieve Guinness record by making 'Kanti Velugu' a big success, Harish to officials

Hyderabad: Health Minister T Harish Rao on Tuesday asked the department officials to strive for the Guinness World Record by completing the massive screening and distribution of glasses by making the 'Kanti Velugu' a big success.

The second phase of the ambitious programme of the State government, 'Kanti Velugu' would be launched by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on January 18. The minister had a review meeting with the district officials which was also attended by the ministers.

Rao asked officials to make public representatives like MPs, MLAs, MLCs and others to participate in the programme. He also asked officers of all departments to participate enthusiastically in the program which is beneficial to people and wanted them to complete it without negligence.

The minister recalled that 1.54 crore people were screened and over 50 lakh spectacles were given during the first phase of Kanti Velugu. He asked officials to work with the same spirit in the second phase. The camps would be at the center of village panchayat and municipal ward.

He said computerised eye tests are being conducted for all the needy across the State. Along with tests, medicines and spectacles are being given free. "Micro level plans have been prepared for effective management in districts. Stating that the first phase programme was done in eight months; the second phase should be completed in 100 working days. For this teams have been increased from 827 to 1,500 and Rs 200 crore has been allocated for the programme.

The minister said the camps would be maintained from 9 am to 4 pm. There would be eight medical staffers under a medical officer. There would be one each optometrist & supervisor, two ANMs, three ASHA workers and one DEO. All people of the State would be tested and spectacles distributed free. These include 30 lakh reading and 25 lakh prescription glasses. The prescription glasses should be distributed within a month of tests, he said.

A meeting of district ministers is to be organised on January 12 for preparedness on the programme. The officials have been asked to complete the schedule and distribute glasses in all municipalities and mandal parishads.