Silvester D’ Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapura (EP)

Kundapura, Oct 16: A meeting of the parents of the specially-abled children at Kundapura and Byndoor was held under the leadership of the concerned for working children at Kundapura taluk panchayat auditorium.

MLA Kiran Kumar Kodgi said that he will try sincerely to provide facilities to the specially-abled. “The attention of the government will be drawn towards the requests and suggestions provided by parents of the specially-abled children. The concerned departments should also work in this regard,” he said.

Byndoor MLA Gururaj Gantihole said that a foot over bridge will be built near Golihole so that the lake can be crossed by parents carrying specially-abled children. Kundapura and Byndoor MLAs asked the district health officer and welfare officer of the specially-abled to increase monthly compensation, pay special allowances to parents to look after children with special needs, provide medicines for them at primary health centres and Janaushadhi kendras.

Parents who came to the meeting along with their specially-abled children aired their grievances. They said that they need to spend up to Rs 10,000 a month for medicines of their specially-abled children. They have to travel between 20 -30 kilometres for their physiotherapy, they said.

Dr Premanand said that generic medicines for the specially-abled are available at Janaushadhi kendras. Private doctors should be requested to prescribe them, he said.

District health officer Dr Nagabhooshan, Kundapura taluk panchayat executive officer Shashidhar, Byndoor taluk executive officer Bharati, deputy director of the specially-abled welfare department Rathna, Shamala and Bhagirathi were present.

CWC Namma Bhoomi organization convener Srinivas Ganiga and Kripa M M explained to the MLAs and officers the problems faced by specially-abled children.