Kanti Velugu gives new light to visually impaired

Khammam: People of Khammam are expressing gratitude to Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao for introducing the unprecedented and the largest community ophthalmology service in the country-- the ‘Kanti Velugu’. Catering to the needs of a population of 14.39 lakh, the District Medical and Health department constituted about 36 teams which are conducting eye screening since August 15 in special camps held in 21 mandals of the district.

Around 48,663 people have utilised the facility in the last 15 days. Out of 27,513 persons were women and about 21,135 were men and glasses were handed over to about 12,294 people. The statistics of the Kanti Velugu camps indicate that the majority of the people are suffering from eyesight problems, which were correctable by using spectacles while other few who are suffering from minor ailments can be cured by surgeries.

G Srinivas, a private college lecturer said that the Kanti Velugu programme which is being conducted across the State is a record. Such a massive programme has not been conducted anywhere so far in the country by any party or any Chief Minister till date. The credit of introducing of various welfare schemes goes to CM KCR only, he said. Dr V Sravanthi of Kamepalli mandal said that free eye tests are being conducted for everyone and those who require spectacles and medicines are provided free of cost under Kanti Velugu programme.

After conducting tests, if the patients are diagnosed with any major ailments, they were being referred to empanelled private hospitals situated in the district headquarters or in Hyderabad, she added. After taking the charge as District Collector, R V Karnan visited the special camp established at Primary Health Centre in Enkoor mandal and inspected the ongoing Kanti Velugu programme.
The Collector interacted with those who came for the check-up and enquired about the facilities and their response to the camp. He instructed the officials to ensure that every individual in the respective villages of the mandal gets the benefit of the programme through eye screening tests.

Malothu Vijaya said she could rectify near and far vision errors with the help of spectacles given free of cost at the camp. She said the screening took barely 30 minutes and staffers were friendly.
P Narasimhulu of Nelakondapalli mandal expressed happiness over the scheme. He said that he had a cataract problem in one of his eyes and would undergo an operation in Mamatha Superspeciality Hospital next month free of cost.

The District Medical and Health Officer, Dr. A Kondal Rao informed that around 349 people were being identified with the ailments that require minor eye operation and were being referred to the Government Main Hospital, Mamatha Superspeciality Hospital, Akhila Eye Hospital situated in Khammam and about 172 people who require major eye operations were referred to Hyderabad along with making necessary arrangements for performing surgeries to referred persons.

During the camps, it was found that about 12,294 members were suffering with short-sightedness (Myopia) and about 13,325 members are found to have long-sightedness, which required multi-focal lenses. The patients will be provided follow up care too, he added.

BY Puli Sharatkumar