Bhatkal: The ‘Ashakiran’ scheme for endosulfan victims was launched at the Government High School premises in Belke in Bhatkal taluk, under a joint initiative of Sirsi-based SCODWES, the district administration, Zilla Panchayat, the Health Department and Bengaluru’s Ashraya Hastha Trust.
District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr Shankar Rao inaugurated the programme and said the scheme aims to provide structured medical care and rehabilitation to affected families. He said a fresh survey of children impacted by endosulfan would be conducted in Belke over the next two months, during which physiotherapy, treatment and rehabilitation support would be extended. The services will continue thereafter with support from the Health Department, he added.
Dr Rao said that since 2018, the government has been providing a monthly assistance of ₹2,000 to victims up to 65 years of age and ₹5,000 to those above 65. Beneficiaries are also entitled to free treatment at Kasturba Medical College (KMC) Manipal, along with free bus travel facilities.
He further said the government has decided to set up three care centres for endosulfan victims in Uttara Kannada district. An action plan worth ₹20 crore has been prepared for establishing a permanent rehabilitation centre at Manki in neighbouring Honnavar taluk, about 20 km from Bhatkal, and has been submitted for approval. District in-charge Minister Mankal Vaidya is taking keen interest in securing clearance for the project, he said.
Presiding over the event, former Belke Gram Panchayat president Jagdish Naik termed the two-month treatment initiative a commendable step towards supporting affected families.
SCODWES Chief Executive Officer Venkatesh Naik said a recent survey in Bhatkal taluk identified 580 endosulfan victims who will be covered under the scheme. Of them, 228 are below 15 years of age, which he described as a matter of concern.
He said the identified children would be provided treatment and physiotherapy at the Belke centre for two months. A mobile unit will ferry beneficiaries from their homes to the centre to ensure access to services. He also credited the district-level survey initiative for enabling systematic identification and assistance.
Among those present were Rotarian S. Jayaram of Ashraya Hastha Trust; Taluk Health Officer Dr Priya Gonsalves; Horticulture Officer Shravan Kumar; Block Resource Officer Poornima Moger; Government High School Headmistress Shalini Naik; and SCODWES liaison officer Narayan Hegde. Endosulfan-affected student Sahil offered the prayer.