647 identified for surgery under Vajpayee Arogyasri scheme

More than 5,000 people registered their names at the health camp organised as part of Vajpayee Arogyasri programme here on Sunday. While all were examined by experts, 647 have been identified to be in need of surgery.

The number of patients identified related to heart disorders are 286, 106 for cancer, 103 for neurological problems, 70 for burn injuries, one newborn baby and three kids for paediatric treatment. These patients will be provided surgical treatment under Arogyasri scheme.

Though the crowd followed discipline at some places, some of them lost patience resulting in chaos. Arrangements were made to make taluk-wise registrations and they were guided to respective rooms for examination. The rooms were numbered and seating facility made in front of some rooms. Patients found it difficult to stand for long in front of the rooms where chairs were not provided. As there were no wheelchairs, patients and their attenders were struggling. NCC cadets helped the needy patients.

District-in-charge minister  C P Yogeeshwar, who inaugurated the programme earlier, said the scheme is being implemented to benefit the poor who are unable to meet healthcare expenses. The BPL card holders are eligible for medical treatment up to Rs 1.5 lakh under the programme, he said.