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Dr. UV Shenoy (second from left) along with other doctors at the conference hall of Naga Hospital, Kohima on Jan. 25, 2016.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Jan. 25 (EMN): The five-day free health screening programme, which began on Jan. 21 in Dimapur and Kohima, concluded on Friday.
The screening focussed on early detection and management of the people with disabilities (PWDs), defects at birth, diseases, deficiencies, and development delay, particularly in age group of 0-18. It was organised by Nagaland Governor PB Acharya in collaboration with the Naga Chetana Trust of Mangaluru, and co-sponsored by Indian Medical Association.
Consultant Paediatrician and child developmental interventionist Dr. U V Shenoy said that over 200 patients, including in-patients and out-patients had turned up in Dimapur but the participation was comparatively less in Kohima, recording with only a little more than 60 patients.
The overall turn up for the free health screening camp in the two cities was said to be more than 60%. The team visited a number schools and non-governmental organisations for PWDs situated in Dimapur and Kohima.
Shenoy felt that the response to the five-day screening programme was “not good” but described it as a “good beginning,” adding that the team would return within the next three months for a follow-up.
The doctor revealed that free education would be provided to the PWDs belonging to age group of 0-18 based on their special needs in the next level programme. He added that the trust had a tie up with various NGOs and institutions for the physically challenged that can provide required facilities and job opportunities to the PWDs. He went on to say that a team of surgeons from USA could perform surgeries to children with disabilities provided the number is high.
The team of doctors that took part in the free health screening camp pointed out that library facility for children with disabilities is required at various institutions, citing the Braille Book that is needed for the blind children. It also found out that there is an urgent need to develop a scope for the disability child.
It may be mentioned that the team consisted of eight doctors -- Dr. Satish Rao, MD (Psychiatrist); Dr. K.R. Kamath, D.Ortho, DNB (Orthopedician); Dr. Sabita, MBBS, DGO (Gynaecologist); Dr. Asha Hegde, MD (Pediatrician); Dr. Amitesh Narayan MPT, PhD (Physiotherapist); Dr. Padma Baliga, MSc, PhD (Child Educationist); and Anil Ramanujam (Ophthalmic Specialist).