Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy launched the 'YSR Kanti Velugu' in Anantapur on Thursday. The scheme, which provides free eye care, was one of the poll promises of the ruling YSRCP.
Speaking at the event and addressing a gathering at the Junior College grounds in Anantapur, Jagan said that in the first phase of the scheme, launched on the occasion of World Sight Day, over 70 lakh school students, studying in 62,503 schools, will be screened between October 10 and 16.
In the second phase between November 1 and December 31, the state government plans to take up secondary screening during which further tests and treatment apart from providing spectacles will be done.
"There are about 2.12 crore people in the state with ailments and 80% of these can be avoided with precaution. We have taken up this scheme with Rs 560.88 crore and will provide tests, treatment, surgeries in six phases spread over three years," Jagan said.
In the third to sixth phase, Jagan said that mass eye screenings would be conducted as part of secondary and tertiary care management, which would include cataract surgeries, besides checking for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
"In all, 1145 Primary Health Centres, 195 Community Health Centres, 28 Area Hospitals, 13 District Hospitals,11 Tertiary Hospitals (Including 2 Regional Eye Hospitals), 115 Vision Centres, 13 District Blindness Control Societies and 117 Registered NGO Hospitals are being involved in the program," a press note from the Chief Minister's office stated.
అనంతపురం జూనియర్ కళాశాల గ్రౌండ్స్ లో కంటి వెలుగు కార్యక్రమాన్ని ప్రారంభించిన ముఖ్యమంత్రి శ్రీ వైయస్.జగన్మోహన్ రెడ్డి. pic.twitter.com/U3qLeaYx6Z
— CMO Andhra Pradesh (@AndhraPradeshCM) October 10, 2019
Jagan has also instructed officials to set up task force committees in the districts, to ensure proper implementation of the scheme.
The Chief Minister further said that the state government was committed to strengthening the Aarogyasri scheme, which would help individuals below the poverty line (BPL) to access healthcare at private and government hospitals.
"To strengthen Aarogyasri, 1,100 vehicles of 108 and 104 (emergency numbers) will be purchased and will be pressed into service by next March in 676 mandals. YSR Aarogyasri health cards with full data of the patient will be given in December. Before that we will empanel 150 super specialty hospitals located in Hyderabad, Chennai and Bengaluru under the Aarogyasri scheme from November," he said.
He also assured the gathering that the scheme will be modified to cover more ailments like dengue and malaria.
"A pilot project will begin in West Godavari district and thereafter in April, every month, one district will be added for implementation," the CMO press note stated.