Want to make Karnataka hearing impaired-free state – Khader

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Oct 28: State health minister U T Khader conducted a press meet here at lions club Mallikatte in city on Wednesday, October 28.

Speaking at the occasion Khader said "Health department is striving to make Karnataka hearing impaired-free and Dakshina Kannada has been chosen for this on a pilot basis. A district-level health camp was held at Natekal sometime ago in this connection, following which 10 children with hearing disability underwent successful cochlear implants free of cost. 5 children are on standby and they will undergo surgery by next month. Under this project, the beneficiaries under 5 years of age will be treated free of cost while the rest need to pay a small portion of the total amount. The cochlear implant procedure costs around Rs 9-11 lac per individual and the hearing kit costs around Rs 15,000-30,000."

“As much as 50 percent of the cost is borne by the Central government while 30 percent is borne by the State. The rest will have to be paid by the beneficiary. The project will be extended to other districts in the state shortly under public-private partnership." Khader added.

"All mother and children hospitals in the district should test newborns to detect any hearing disability. The health department will provide necessary equipment to all taluk and district hospitals. We will also form policies after holding discussions with experts. Not only government hospitals but also the private ones should possess hearing test equipment, so that hearing disability can be identified at an early stage." Khader continued.

Briefing about the lady Goschen hospital, Khader said "We have filled all the staff shortage at Lady Goschen hospital and deputed 2 gynaecologists from Wenlock hospital. ICU will be setup and we will make all the necessary arrangements and put all our efforts to make Lady Goschen a model maternity hospital."

Project for increasing the ground water level in Kolar

Khader also informed about the new project for increasing the ground water level in Kolar and said "Project has been planned to take the waste water from Koramangala challagatta valley sewage treatment plant and fill it into the 126 lakes in Kolar thereby increasing the ground water level in Kolar. If recycled water is supplied to rejuvenate lakes, it will help people in many ways. It will help improve groundwater levels. The whole project is estimated at Rs 1200 crore with RS 1072 crore for the project and rest for maintenance for 5 years. 4.8 TMC water will be available through this project and it will be completed within a year."

Prashant murder

On the recent murder of Bajrang Dal activist Prashant Poojary in Moodbidri and controversies surrounding the visit of the family of the deceased, Khadar said, "Any organization which is involved in breaking the peace of the society should not be allowed to operate. We condemn this act. When KFD activist was murdered in Maarlabail, we did not visit his home. We ask all youngsters not to join any anti social organization."

Quashing the BJP’s demand to grant Rs 25 lac to Prashant’s family, he said that Prashanth was killed due to alleged rivalry as contrary to the Tannikodu, Sringeri shootout case where victim Kabir got killed in the hands of a government employee and hence in that case, it was the duty of the government to grant the compensation.

Digital hearing aids distribution

After the press meet free digital hearing aids were distributed to 133 identified beneficiary children at lions club jointly by lions clubs of Mangaluru, Mangalagangothri, Kankanady Padil and Chotamangaluru in association with Naseema institute of speech and hearing Bengaluru and Manasa cochlear and ENT centre Bengaluru.

Speaking after distributing the hearing aid's health minister U T Khader said "I congratulate the lions club and all other organization associated in this project. When child calls them mom and dad it is the happiest movement for a parent. Through this project we have been able to fulfil that. Lions club has done really a good job and I assure them all the cooperation in the coming days too. This unique programme will be remembered in the history of lions club."

Lions governor Kavitha M Shastri said "Hearing and speaking is a gift by God. We are glad to have h a health minister who thinks about people and we are proud to say that he is also a lions member. I thank Dr Hans and Dr Vasanthi who have put efforts and made this programme a successful one."

Personalities who had worked for the success of the project were felicitated at the occasion.
First vice governor of lions Arun Shetty, Dr Hans and cochlear implant surgeon from Bengaluru Dr Vasanthi, DHO Dr Ramakrishna Rao, U T Zulfikar and others were present.