Help fluoride victims, collector tells doctors

Nalgonda : District Collector N Mukteswara Rao appealed to the physicians to come to the rescue of fluoride victims in the district.A Addressing the doctors and paramedical staff of primary health centres of 17 mandals which were badly affected by fluoride here on Tuesday, the collector said that the government had sanctioned 10-bed special ward in the government general hospital for the fluoride victims and the doctors and paramedical staff should provide necessary medical services to them.

"At the same time, the medical staff should strive to bring awareness among the victims regarding the fluoride problem," he said. The collector instructed the officials concerned to distribute pamphlets regarding the serviced being rendered to the fluoride victims as well as the medical personnel to make them understand the problem.A He appealed to the physicians and the paramedical staff to fully utilize the medical equipment acquired for treating the fluoride victims.

The collector pointed out that the development of the society was not mere constructing roads and buildings but it depended upon personal health, literacy to girls, nutrition food , immunization, gender equality among others. The 952 fluoride victims were being given 35 kilos of rice after Speaker Nadendla Manohar visited the victims, he said and added that tricycles were distributed 650 victims.The collector said that purified drinking water was being supplied at a cost of Rs. 15 crore to the students of 959 schools in the district.

"Proposals were sent to the government to sanction pensions to the 270 fluoride victims," he said and added that it was also proposed to distribute kits with magnesium and vitamin C to the victims of fluoride in the district. A "There are a number of fluoride victims to be identified in the district," he said.

District Medical and Health Officer Amos, District Central Hospital Coordinator Dr Suresh Kumar, Government hospital superintendent Dr Harinath, DRDA PD Rajeswar Reddy, District Fluoride Coordination Officer Narasimhulu, CPO Mohan Rao and others were present.