From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Dec 5: Losing teeth as one grows old is part of life. But now, thanks to Karnataka’s young and dynamic Health Minister U T Khader poorer sections of senior citizens have reasons to smile.

At the initiative of the young and dynamic Health MinisterKhader, the State Government has decided to provide free dentures to the senior citizens with complete tooth loss from December 6.

The scheme to launched by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the Banquet Hall of the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Saturday is aptly known as ''Danta Bhagya".

Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader, who announced the details of the Danta Bhagya scheme, said the State Government would provide free dentures to poor senior citizens under the scheme.

''This is a first of its kind initiative in the entire country,’’ he said proudly.

He said the State Government has involved 45 dental colleges in the State to implement the Danta Bhagya scheme.

The dental colleges would provide free dentures to the needy senior citizens after verifying their Below Poverty Line ration cards and documents related to age-proof, he said.

''Only those who lost all teeth eligible’’

However, there is a catch. To avail the benefit of the Danta Bhagya scheme, the beneficiaries
should have lost all their teeth, the minister said.

The Asha workers have been given the responsibility of identifying the needy senior citizens and linking them with the dental colleges for getting free dentures. Such health workers would be paid an incentive of Rs 100 per patient, the minister said.

Dr Ganesh Shenoy Panchmal, who is the chairperson of the Government’s Oral Health Policy Committee which is also monitoring the implementation of the Danta Bhagya scheme, explained that normally the private dentists would charge Rs8,000 to 20,000 for providing dentures.

Of the total amount, a minimum of Rs 1,500 was towards the charges of technicians while the remaining charges would include that of infrastructure costs and profits.

However, the dental colleges have agreed to provide free manpower by deploying their post-graduate students to attend to senior citizens.

Similarly they would also not charge for the use of their infrastructure. The government would only provide the actual cost of dentures, which would be Rs 500, he said.

Dialysis Centre in Each Taluk, Puttur to have First in DK

In another health-related initiative, the State Government has decided to start a dialysis centre in at least one taluk of every district.

The first such centre in the State would be set up in Puttur in Dakshina Kannada.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would also be launching dialysis scheme to be set up in each taluk of the State on December 6.

The dialysis facility is free for the beneficiaries from BPL families.

Khader said the incidence of terminal renal failure was rising at an alarming rate.

''Patients, especially from the rural areas, are finding it difficult to reach a hospital and undergo dialysis,’’ the minister said pointing out that the State Government felt there is a need for at least one centre in every taluk.

However, as the proposal was not found feasible because of lack of technicians, ''we will go ahead with a centre in at least one taluk of every district,’’ he said.

The Health Minister said the State Government was also considering the pros and cons of initiating peritoneal dialysis in rural areas.

"We will start peritoneal dialysis on a pilot basis in a district and extend it to other parts based on its success," he said.

"Lack of facilities in government hospitals is a major hitch in treating patients suffering terminal renal failure. In this context, peritoneal dialysis that can be easily done at home is a better option," he explained.