Mangaluru: In the wake of rising non-communicable diseases, the Dakshina Kannada District Administration, DK Dist. Panchayat, Dist. Health & Family Welfare and Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) jointly launched the “NCD program and Health Workshop for the elected representatives” here, on Oct 5, at TMA Pai Convention Centre, Mangaluru.
The program was inaugurated by Ramanath Rai, Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology and DK District-In charge Minister with the traditional lighting of the lamp.
U T Khader, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Karnataka along with the guests of honour, unveiled the hand books on Health Dept regarding various schemes and information.
In his introductory address he said, “Non-communicable diseases are increasing day by day, and the government is committed to undertake preventive measures. This pilot project which began in our district in March 2014, will be continued till March 2016 and under which anyone can get benefited and will be treated free of cost.”
“All the PHC’s in the district will have this facility and the awareness regarding this program has to reach the common man. In order to do so, we are organising this workshop for the elected representatives of Gram, Taluk and Zilla Panchayat members, who are directly representing the public of their region. The Karnataka Health systems Development & Reforms project is a World Bank funded Project, aimed towards building specific capacities of health systems in the State of Karnataka”, he added.
He also said that the Government is dedicated to provide the best quality evidence based health care to the people of Karnataka, especially the poor and the rural masses who cannot afford expensive private health services. “Non Communicable diseases need to be identified during the primary stage and could be cured or can be brought under control if proper medication at right time is given. People need to take care of their daily activities, like food, exercise, work”, he said.
J R Lobo, Mangalore South constituency in Karnataka in his presidential address stressed that the health dept., local bodies and municipal authorities should coordinate in order to check the food quality, environment, cleanliness in the hotels, street vendors and strict action should be taken against those violating it.
“We are responsible for the diseases, as we hardly bother to keep our surroundings clean. The city corporation, local bodies have to take necessary measures to eliminate the pollution, the drainage etc issues in the city, region. For the betterment of people, we, the elected representatives have to work in order to make them aware about the various schemes of the government and they benefit the maximum out of it.”
MLC Ivan D’Souza, Shakuntala Shetty, MLA Puttur, Jacintha Vijay Alfred, MCC Mayor, Asha Thimappa, President, DK Zilla Panchyat, Dr M Vamadev, Director, Health & Family Welfare Services Directorate, and others were present.
