The Telangana government plans to relaunch the Kanti Velugu scheme geared towards universal eye screening by covering the entire population of the state. The scheme will be launched from January 18, 2023 and consists of free eye check-ups, surgery and distribution of spectacles as required to beneficiaries.
Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao held a review meeting on Thursday at Pragathi Bhavan, where it was decided to relaunch the scheme. The Chief Minister noted that lakhs of individuals especially senior citizens from lower-income families benefited from the scheme.
Health Minister T Harish Rao and department officials have been directed to devise a blueprint for the successful implementation of Kanti Velugu scheme from January 18. The Chief Minister asked them to take prompt steps to arrange for eye specialists and medicines for the scheme.
The scheme was launched on August 15, 2018, and ran for a year benefitting over 23 lakh people, at a cost of Rs 200 crore. The scheme aims to eliminate avoidable blindness in the state through eye screening tests, handing out spectacles and medicines, and arranging for free surgeries and other treatments for the poor.