110 specially-abled children examined

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, May 25

More than 110 specially-abled children from across the district were examined and treated at District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC) during a free medical camp in the past three days.

Children with congenital deaf and dumbness and those with hearing impairment were accompanied by their parents to the centre to avail free treatment. As many as 41 specially-abled children were treated on Wednesday, 27 children on Thursday and 50 children were treated on Friday.

The District Early Intervention Centre, an initiative of Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) was introduced at Bathinda Civil Hospital in 2015. The centre provides free medical treatment for 30 diseases including defects during birth, deficiencies, childhood diseases, developmental delay, congenital heart diseases and disability to children in the age group of 1 to 18 years.

Meanwhile, parents as well as handicapped children faced trouble when they were asked to visit main OPD unit of civil hospital for medical tests. The centre lacks in basic diagnostic tools or medical infrastructure and shortage of staff often compel doctor here to refer patients to other districts or out of state.

The Tribune has highlighted the matter on several occasions in the past but authorities have not ensured any concrete action in the matter.

The state government has failed to recruit staff members including a paediatrician, dentist, physiotherapist, audiologist, psychologist, optometrist, two lab technicians and a data entry operator.

Treatment was given free of cost 

Children with congenital deaf and dumbness and those with hearing impairment were accompanied by their parents to the centre to avail free treatment. As many as 41 specially-abled children were treated on Wednesday, 27 children on Thursday and 50 on Friday.