Kanti Velugu: Rs 200 cr released for second phase; free eyeglasses to 55L people

Hyderabad: The Telangana government has released Rs. 200 crores for the second phase of Kanti Velugu where one and a half crore people will undergo eye test and glasses will be provided to 55 lakh people free of cost.

On 29 November, Telangana health minister T. Harish Rao began training for phase II of the Kanti Velugu programme, which is set to restart on 18 January 2023.

The meeting was attended by DMHOs (district medical and health officers), deputy DMHOs, quality teams, and programme officers at the Marri Channa Reddy Human Resource Development, Hyderabad.

On 15 August 2018, Kanti Velugu was launched in Malkapur, Medak district, with the objective of hosting regular eye checkup camps at regular intervals. During the first phase, 1.54 crore people were checked and 50 lakh eyeglasses were distributed.

Addressing the officials present on Tuesday, the minister urged them to work hard to ensure the event's success. "Last time, we had eight months. We now have 100 days," he told them.

He also said that there would be 1,500 teams, up from 827 the previous time.

In terms of the arrangements, he said 811 BAAMS graduates have already been hired from 589 rural dispensaries.

"This scheme will employ 1,500 doctors, 1,500 optometrists, and 1,500 data entry operators. We are taking precautions to ensure that the hospitals' usual operations are not disrupted," he continued.

The final list of 969 PHC doctors will be released on 1 December.

Mr. Harish Rao further added that final-year medical students would also be trained at the LV Prasad and Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital.

He has asked MLAs and other people's representatives to assist the DMHOs in finalizing the plans.

The minister said that optometers and other equipment will be delivered to the teams by 1 January and that roughly 10 lakh eyeglasses will be ready by 10 January.

"To avoid shortages, an app will be made available for ordering eyeglasses. Every district will also have a quality team in charge of overseeing operations," he said.

Minister for panchayat raj and rural development Errabeli Dayakar Rao said that his department will work together to ensure the success of the programme.