SRIKAKULAM: The State government, which had recently announced a series of measures to help patients suffering from Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD) in Uddhanam region, on Thursday ordered a door-to-door survey to create the health profile of every individual in 107 villages of seven mandals. Six mobile teams comprising doctors and technical staff would conduct preliminary tests in the identified villages till May, 2017. The State government will also seek the Union government’s support for establishment of a research unit of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in Srikakulam itself to identify the exact reasons for the spread of the disease in the region since 1982.
Minister for Medical and Health Kamineni Srinivas will submit a detailed report to Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda in New Delhi on Friday to step up pressure for the ICMR centre and 19 more dialysis units in AP. Dr. Srinivas, Labour Minister K. Atchannaidu, Government’s expert committee head and Vice-Chancellor of Dr. NTR Health University T. Raviraj and other senior officials interacted with the patients in Sompeta on Thursday. As many as 800 patients from various mandals including Itchapuram, Sompeta, Palasa, Mandasa, Kaviti and other areas attended the public meeting. For the first time, a huge number of patients gathered at one place in anticipation of positive news and measures from the government.
Dr. Srinivas assured them that a dialysis unit would be established in Palasa and Sompeta within two months. He said the door-to-door survey would help provide quick treatment to new patients. “After the survey, we will conduct almost 40 tests free of cost for the new patients. It helps to control further damage to the kidneys. The government supplies medicines to the existing patients. They will also be provided free transport facility.”
Mr. Atchannaidu and Srikakulam MP Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu said the State government was keen on utilising the services of foreign experts also in finding the exact reasons. “Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has given absolute freedom to the Health Department to extend all possible help to the patients and others. We will also ensure pensions to the patients after completion of the survey,” said Mr. Atchannaidu.
Earlier, the Ministers visited the Palasa hospital and sanctioned Rs.1 crore for its modernisation. They also promised facelift to the Sompeta government hospital. Principal Secretary of Medical and Health Poonam Malakondaiah, Director of Medical Education B. Balaraju, Srikakulam Collector P. Lakshmi Narasimham, Palasa MLA G. Shyam Sundar Shivaji, Itchapuram MLA Bendalam Ashok and others participated in the meeting.
