The government is committed to finding a lasting solution to the vexed kidney disease issue in the Uddanam region of Srikakulam district, but it is unfortunate that the measures taken by it to alleviate the suffering of the patients are not appreciated, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has observed in an obvious reference to Jana Sena Party president Pawn Kalyan’s day-long fast on the issue.
Taking stock of the prevalence of the Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu) in the region on Saturday, Mr. Naidu said, by choosing to point an accusing finger at the government that had taken several measures like no dispensation had done so far, Mr. Pawan Kalyan was only trying to mislead the people.
“The government is prepared to take Mr. Pawan Kalyan’s advice, but is not happy with his negative attitude,” he said.
‘Measures initiated’
Elaborating on the steps taken to address the issue, Mr. Naidu said, the Sydney-based George Institute for Global Health had been selected through an international competitive grand challenge system to conduct a detailed study of the disease that reached epidemic proportions in the Uddanam region. Blood samples had been collected from over one lakh patients, and 13,000 of them were undergoing treatment on a daily basis. A pension of ₹2,500 each was being paid every month to 2,761 patients in an effort to help them bear the treatment cost, he said.
Seven RO plants were set up at a cost of ₹17 crore. Steps were taken to install more such plants to provide safe drinking water in the disease-prone areas, Mr. Naidu added.
The Chief Minister further said dedicated laboratories had been established at Visakha Institute of Medical Sciences and in Sompeta. This apart, dialysis service was being offered at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences in Srikakulam, and at centres set up in Palasa, Sompeta, Palakonda, and Tekkali in three sessions per day, he said.
