KCR launches free eye testing programme in Telangana

In a first such initiative in the country, Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has launched “Kanti Velugu” on Wednesday to provide free eye tests to 3.70 cr population of the state, at Malkapur village in Toopran block of Medak district. The Chief Minister handed over a spectacle to an old lady marking the launch of the programme.

“Never before in this country than any state government undertook such a massive programme. Lakhs of people particularly the poor will benefit from this programme, we have kept 40 lakh glasses ready for distribution. And 825 teams have been entrusted with the work of screening everyone in every village,” the chief minister said after launching the programme.

Each team consists of an MBBS doctor and an Optometrist. Every team will conduct Eye test on an average of 250 persons per day. The necessary eye drops, medicines, spectacles are kept ready and will be dispatched to districts. In all 114 eye hospitals, both private and public are identified for conducting operations.

CM has said that everyone in the State should utilize the opportunity and have their eyes tested and for all who required the spectacles and medicines will be supplied free of cost. “If necessary for those who require operations are also to be done free of cost,” he said.

The state health department was asked to make the necessary arrangements to keep ready the required staff, medical equipment, vehicles, spectacles and medicines. A schedule has to be drawn for this purpose following meetings with district Collectors and elected representatives. Officials were told to educate people properly and efforts shall be made to see that everyone comes to the Eye Camps for tests.