Andhra Pradesh CM Jaganmohan Reddy launches third phase of Kanti Velugu scheme, 57 lakh elderly to benefit

TIRUPATI: The third phase of the Dr YSR Kanti Velugu programme was launched by chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy at STBC college ground in Kurnool on Tuesday. The third phase of the scheme would provide free of cost eye care to about 57 lakh elderly people above the age of 60 years.
The chief minister also laid the foundation stone of a health sub-centre under the state government’s flagship Nadu-Nedu programme, which aims to revamp government hospitals and primary health centres across the state to meet national standards.

Addressing the public gathering, Jagan said his government is committed to render the best of medical care to all sections of people in the society. “The state, as of now, has only 11 teaching hospitals. The government plans to add 16 more teaching hospitals across the state to ensure that doctors and medical staff are available at all times across all regions of the state. Under the Nadu-Nedu programme, the government will spend Rs 15,337 crore to renovate and upgrade existing hospitals besides setting up new ones across the state to ensure world-class medical facilities are available to the poorest of the poor,” he said.

As part of the first phase of the programme, the government has allocated Rs 1,129 crore for new health and wellness centres. In total, 1,086 sub-centres in government buildings have been upgraded under the National Health Mission by district collectors. “This is a prestigious initiative of the state government to set up a total of 4,906 sub-centres at a cost of Rs 23 lakh each,” Jagan underlined.

As many as 56,88,420 people above the age of 60 years will benefit from the third phase of Kanti Velugu programme, the CM said. “Free eye-screening tests will be conducted at all village secretariats. Surgeries for shortlisted patients would be performed at the existing 11 teaching hospitals across the state from March 1. The government has allocated Rs 560 crore towards the programme,” he stated.

The Kanti Velugu programme was launched by the state government last year to provide free eye care to all people of the state in six phases within a span of two-and-a-half years.

Taking a jibe at his predecessor and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu without naming him, Jagan said while there is cure for around 2,000 diseases covered under the Arogya Sri programme, there is no medicine to cure jealousy anywhere in the world.

“There is remedy for eye ailments under the Kanti Velugu programme, but there is no cure for an evil eye. Similarly, many ailments can be cured by right treatment and medicines, but no medicine has been discovered yet to treat and cure an envious mind,” the chief minister said.