State surpasses previous record Hearing aid distributed to 6400 beneficiaries
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 05 2016: Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Thawarchand Gehlot has announced that a universal identity card for physically challenged persons will soon be prepared and added this will go a long way in helping such persons avail the many beneficial schemes under the Ministry.

Speaking during a function at the Indoor Stadium of Khuman Lampak Sports complex in connection with the distribution of hearing aid jointly organised by the National Health Mission, Manipur, Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Gehlot said that according to the 2011 Census, there are two crore and 68 lakh persons who are physically challenged.

State surpasses previous record Hearing aid distributed to 6400 beneficiaries

It is only right that the people treat them as equals and find out ways to make their life more meaningful, he added.

It is to extend all possible assistance to them that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has put up all the schemes meant for them on its website, said the Minister.

Stating that the hearing aid distribution function here will be the biggest such function in India, Gehlot said that 6400 hearing aid will be distributed.

This will be a world record, he said and added that the previous record was held by Gujarat when it conducted a hearing aid distribution function on September 17 this year.

The total cost of the hearing aid has been pegged at about Rs 4.44 crore, said the Union Minister and added that in the last two years, 4345 camps have been conducted to detect people with hearing impairment.

During these camps about 5 lakh people with hearing difficulties have been identified, said Gehlot and added that 472 children all below the age of 5 years have been given Cochlear implants. These children were born deaf and hence could not speak, he said.

The cost of the operation is about Rs 6 lakh per child, informed the Minister.

Urging the people to inform his Ministry if there are any such child in Manipur, Gehlot said that details may be seen from the website of his Ministry.

From 2014-15, pre and post matric scholarships are being provided to students with hearing impairment, said Gehlot and added that the Centre will extend all possible assistance to the State Government to encourage those who are physically challenged in taking up sports.

He reminded the gathering that at the Rio Paralympic, Indian athletes managed to garner four medals including two gold, one silver and one bronze.

Chief Minister O Ibobi who attended the function as the chief guest said that though the State is poor in resources, it puts aside 4 pc of the Gross State Domestic Product for the health sector.

This is more than many other States, he claimed.

The total cost incurred for organising the free distribution of the hearing aid is about Rs 2.5 crore, said the Chief Minister and added this includes transporting the beneficiaries to the venue and organising the event.

Underlining the point that the State Government has been giving due importance to the health sector, the Chief Minister said that for three consecutive years it won over Rs 1000 crore for keeping the Infant Mortality Rate below 10.The Chief Minister also acknowledged the work put in by doctors and Asha workers to organise the hearing aid distribution programme.

The over six thousand beneficiaries who received the free hearing aid today were drawn from all the districts of the State.

They were selected after conducting 49 camps all over the State.

Health And Family Welfare Minister D Korungthang, Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Chief Secretary O Nabakishore, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Awanish Awashthi, Health Commissioner PK Singh and CMD of ALIMCO DR Sarin also attended the function.