Mangalore: First in state - Peritoneal dialysis at Wenlock hospital

Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Jan 26: "New peritoneal dialysis systems will start functioning in Wenlock Hospital in Mangalore and K C General Hospital, Bangalore, for the first time in the state on a pilot basis," said minister U T Khadar, addressing the media at the Circuit House here on Saturday January 25.

"In the first stage, 20 patients will be treated and the staff will be trained to handle the machines and the procedures. It will be available free of cost to BPL card holders and later will be extended to APL card holders also. Unlike other dialysis systems, here, the patient need not visit the hospital every now and then but can change his own medicines and get a self dialysis. A machine costs Rs 7 lac and the miscellaneous expenses are extra," he said.

"With regard to the rehabilitation of endosulfan victims, suggestions from people’s representatives, NGOs, and leaders have been taken. ID cards are to be distributed to more than 2,000 victims by February 14 in Kokkada and Koila. Cards have been divided into three categories— victims affected more than 75 percent, victims affected less than 75 percent and upto nearly 25 percent, and and less affected victims. The monthly government aid for highly affected victims has been increased to Rs 3,000 from Rs 2,000. For the other victims, it has been increased to Rs 2,000 from Rs 1,000. Better care facilities including physiotherapy and skill developments will be implemented in the Endosulphan treatment centers," added Khadar.

Six new centres for endosulfan victims will be started, and along with the two existing centres, a total of eight centres will get modern facilities. With regard to the healthcare facilities for victims in other places, the state government has done a tie-up with the major hospitals in the district, where the patients will be brought to hospital via ambulance and free treatment will be provided. To ensure optimum functioning of these centres and the procedures, district level executive committee and implementation committee have been formed, which will be headed by the district incharge minister and the MLAs, he said.

Janardhan Poojary first choice

Commenting on the battle for Lok Sabha ticket within the Congress, Khadar said Janardhan Poojary is a veteran Congress leader and he is the first choice for the ticket. "He is the one who has brought many youngsters into politics, guided them, and led them on the right path. Every member of the party has the right to ask for ticket to contest the election. In case any other person gets the ticket for the next MP election, being able and disciplined members of the party, it is our duty to support the candidate chosen by the Congress high command," he added.