Udupi: Prevention is better than cure. Health issues should be dealt with proper medical consultation, said U T Khader, Minister for Health and Family Welfare. He was speaking at a health card distribution programme organised by the Catholic Sabha, Udupi Pradesh and Shirva Zone at Saude Sabha Bhavan, Shirva here on September 20.
Drinking clean water and maintaining a balanced diet, coupled with clean environment can control 80% of diseases. A balanced diet keeps diseases away. Parents should follow balanced diet in their homes to keep their children healthy. The state government in coordination with private hospitals is providing medical assistance to BPL card holders for 8 diseases. APL card holders can also avail health care facilities under the Rajiv Arogya Bhagya Yojane.
The Health Department in order to eradicate malnourishment in children and women will be launching the Vatsalya Vani project. This project will facilitate the monitoring of health of pregnant women. Vacancies in the community health centre in Shirva will be filled in the next 6 months, he added.
Vinay Kumar Sorake, Minister for Urban Development and Minister in-charge of the district, said that the contribution of Christians to health care is tremendous. Mother Theresa received a Nobel Peace Prize due to her service to the leprosy patients. The Christian community serves the masses in the health care sector in the twin districts. The proposal of doubling the Shirva-Katpadi Road has been approved by the government, he added.
Manipal Arogya Card Coordinator and Chairman of Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited, Veronica Cornelio said that 12675 health cards were distributed last year and this year 13064 cards have been distributed to the people. The medical cover has been increased to Rs 50,000. The Denis D’Silva Memorial Award and the Joseph Mary Pinto Scholarship was also presented. Panchayat presidents Juliat Veera D’Souza, David D’Souza, Jithendra Furtado were felicitated by Sorake on the occasion.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi, also spoke on the occasion.
G.K Prabhu, Registrar Manipal University; Ida Gibba D’Souza, ZP Member; Fr Stany Tauro, Parish Priest Our Lady of Health Church Shirva; Vice President of Parish Pastoral Council Wilson D’Souza, Catholic Sabha President William Machado, Elroy Kiran Crasto, Alwyn Quadras, Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves, Melwyn Aranha, Leena Machado and others were present.
