Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MD)
Mangalore, Jun 10: "Relief packages and identity cards will be given to Endosulfan victims and a treatment centre will be opened. Those who cannot go to the treatment centres can avail of a mobile treatment centre. Endosulfan patients can be treated in 18 hospitals which have made an agreement with us and free transportation services will be provided to the hospital and back," said health and child welfare minister U T Khadar on Tuesday June 10 at DC's office here.
Representatives of various medical colleges and hospitals were present and signed the agreement along with seven private organizations.
Under this agreement, a total of 700 beneficiaries will be provided ID cards. The Karnataka state government has come up with this plan to help those Endosulfan victims who are in real need of help.
"In Dakshina Kannada district, one mental rehabilitation centre will be opened and if the centre already exists in a hospital, we will provide 20 extra beds. In Dakshina Kannada district, at Nitte, we will be opening a new mental rehabilitation centre free of cost,” he added.
"Our aim is to make all the people happy and we do not want any hospitals to undergo losses. All the expenses will be borne by the government, including food, psychiatric consultations, cost of psychologists, maintenance cost, rent, and other expenses. DHOs and programme officers will be given training. In other districts, NGOs can start a centre in a rented place. The total cost will come up to Rs 1,60,700 per month," he added.
Khadar added that those who hold BPL and APL cards are also eligible for the Endo treatment. “Even if they are benefiting under the Vajapayee Arogya Shree Scheme, they should have ID cards and they should also be referred by the primary health centres,” he added.
Seven medical colleges and hospitals - Father Muller, K S Hegde, Omega, Srinivas, AJ, Yenepoya, and KMC signed the agreement.
Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim, Renuka Prasad, district health officer, and representatives of various medical colleges were also present at the meeting.