Pics: Meryick D'silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)
Mangaluru, Jul 18: Health minister U T Khader conducted a press meet here on Saturday, July 18 to announce the start of early intervention centre in the district hospital wenlock.
Addressing the media persons Khader said "District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC) will soon be opened in district hospital Wenlock and this will be the first point of screening for developmental delays and disabilities in children in the 0-6 years age group. This will be helpful to tackle childhood disabilities through the early identification of developmental delays and disabilities and early interventions, so that these conditions do not become permanent or debilitating. Health Department is taking up this initiative under the health screening programme for children from 0-18 years, the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) and National health mission. This facility will be made available to people by the end of this month,"
Nodal officer Dr U V Shenoy said "Dakshina Kannada is the first district to avail this facility in the state. The DEIC will have doctor, paediatrician, audiologist, speech therapist, psychologist, optometrist, and a special educator/social worker. Asha workers who will screen children for developmental delays or disabilities,suggest and manage suitable interventions, with referral support to those who may require a higher level of medical intervention to the district hospital. In this regard all the instruments and resource persons are made available in the district hospital."
Superintendent of Wenlock hospital, Rajeshwari Devi said "600 children have been identified already and suitable treatment will be given to them under this programme. Artificial limbs, hearing machine and required materials will be given to the children with the disability, free of cost".
On farmers' deaths
Speaking about the farmers' deaths in the state, Khader said "Our member of parliament has blamed chief minister for the death of farmers. I want to say that this doesnot suit to his position. He has also asked why Rahul Gandhi has not visited Karnataka. Chief minister Siddarammaih has shown maximum concern towards farmers than any other government in the past. When Shettar was the chief minister, he had promised to waive off the debt of farmers but did not do so. When our government came to power, chief minister waived off the loan of poor farmers on the first day itself.
"On the occasion of calamities, though centre did not help, the state government gave compensation and handled the situation well. What help has centre given when the sugar cane farmers committed suicide? Taking selfies with children will not help. New schemes should be bought to empower youth, farmers and poor people. BJP was criticizing former prime minister Manmohan Singh on Pakistan issue but now though Pakistan is attacking the Indian borders and has killed so many soldiers, our prime minister Modi is seen shaking hands with the Pakistan prime minister."
On being asked why none of the ministers has visited the farmers' houses, Khader replied "Since sessions were going on, it was necessary to attend them. But now all the ministers and MLAs are visiting the farmers' houses. First time in the history, the government is seizing the sugar from the sugar factories and selling it in the market. The amount gained by the sale of sugar is given to farmers."
Attacks on innocents in the constituency
Briefing about the attacks on innocents in his constituency Khader said "The miscreants are coming in bike and attacking the people with knives in my constituency for the past few days. Few anti social elements are creating this trouble to disrupt peace. I have asked the police commissioner to take strict action against the culprits. I have also asked the commissioner to create a special team and curb these anti social activities."
Arrives in auto rickshaw
Khader arrived in an auto rickshaw for the press meet. It was revealed later that as his car was held up in a traffic jam, he decided to take an auto to the reach the venue at specified time.
