Out-patient clinic begins for endosulfan victims

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Endosulfan victims of Kasargod suffering from cancer will now have the convenience of an out-patient clinic at the Malabar Cancer Centre (MCC), Health Minister Adoor Prakash told a press meet here on Friday. He said that a Cancer Centre study had noted a higher incidence of cancer in areas of Kasargod district where endosulfan had been sprayed.Adoor Prakash said that a comprehensive health insurance scheme would be implemented for poor girls, as part of the 100-day programme of the Oommen Chandy Government. "By August, health cards for medical check-up will be issued to approximately one crore girls belonging to poor families,’’ he said."A gynaecology block and trauma care unit would start functioning at Kottayam Medical College shortly and a cardiac catheterisation unit in Kozhikode Medical College. In Pathanamthitta, a special programme for early detection of cancer, diabetes and heart diseases will be launched,’’ he said. The minister also said that the implementation of the National Rural Health Mission would be improved after consultations with people’s representatives and others."Efforts are already on in Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts in that direction. Special packages for Alappuzha and Sabarimala would be submitted to funding agencies for assistance within 100 days,’’ he said.