The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Plea for pre-natal screening to detect disabilities

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 04, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Plea for pre-natal screening to detect disabilities

Special Correspondent

Minister seeks latest equipment

— Photo : M. Vedhan

RECOGNISING MERIT: Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam presenting the Best Teacher award to a recipient at a function held in Chennai on Monday. Social Welfare Minister Poongothai Aladi Aruna and Social Welfare Secretary N.S. Palaniappan are in the picture.

CHENNAI: Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam on Monday promised to consider a proposal from Social Welfare Minister Poongothai Aladi Aruna to conduct scans for pregnant women in order to detect disabilities in unborn babies.

Addressing a World Disability Day function, Mr. Panneerselvam said he would consider a proposal to make pre-natal screening compulsory.

Dr. Poongothai had that said this would go a long way in preventing disabilities among children. She also urged Mr. Panneerselvam to provide state-of-the-art equipment to government hospitals for early detection of disabilities in new borns.

Dr. Poongothai also highlighted the need to prevent disabilities caused by accidents. About 50 crore people had been affected this way globally. Wearing seat belts and helmets and avoiding drunken driving were some of the ways to avoid disabling injuries.

The State Government had set up early detection centres (for mental retardation and hearing impairment) in all 30 districts. In addition, Rs.18 crore had been allotted to provide a monthly grant of Rs.500 to over 31,000 children with mental retardation.

Mr. Panneerselvam said arrangements had been made for affixing hearing aids in all government hospitals. He listed other schemes being implemented by the State for the welfare of persons with disabilities.

Aids and appliances worth Rs.6,75,545 were earlier distributed to persons with disabilities. Cultural events were held throughout the day and winners of various competitions received prizes from Dr. Poongothai. State Disability Awards were also given on the occasion to disabled achievers in different fields, best employers of the disabled and teachers.

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