From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Mar 1: With more than a dozen people in the malnad region infected by the Kyasaur Forest Disease (KFD), which is generally known as monkey fever, Karnataka’s Health Minister U T Khadar has urged the people of the Malnad region and those residing adjacent to forest areas to take all precautionary steps to prevent spreading of money fever.

Khadar, who spoke to reporters after holding a meeting with officials of the Health Department in Bangalore on Saturday, said 24 cases of money fever have been reported from Thirthahalli and others parts of Shimoga and Chikmagalur districts.

Out of 90 cases reported, blood tests have confirmed 24 cases of money fever.

The disease has not claimed any life so far, the minister said.

The officials of the department have been instructed to ensure availability of medicines at the primary health centres to check spread of the money fever and other communicable diseases during the summer.

Free Dentures to Senior Citizens

Khadar, who held a meeting with heads of various dental colleges, said that a State Oral Health Policy would be brought out soon.

The State Government has decided to provide free dentures to toothless senior citizens (60 years and above) free of cost.

He appealed to all dental colleges and institutions to adopt primary health centers to implement the scheme to provide dentures to citizens belonging to BPL families.

A sum of Rs 2 crore has been set aside in the Budget to implement the scheme.

"Senior citizens without teeth are unable to properly relish the food of their choice,” he said.

He said it was very unfortunate that the senior citizens were forced to a situation in which they hesitate to let out a hearty laugh.

Therefore, the State Government will provide dentures to people over 60 years of age free of cost, he said.