The Punjab Govt. has provided treatment facilities to 18658 students studying in government and aided schools across the state.Disclosing this here today Education Minister Punjab Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka said that Government of Punjab provides positive interventions in the lives of children with special needs and those suffering from chronic illness. He said that last year the education department with the collaboration of health department of Punjab and Non Government Organizations (NGOs) has started a campaign which focused on providing health and social welfare interventions, besides quality education to children with special needs and those suffering from chronic illnesses, studying in government and aided schools of the state. he said that Under this campaign, 244 children with cleft lip/ palette were identified in the state, out of which 235 were provided corrective surgeries,
He further said that 470 children suffering from polio, cerebral palsy and congenital deformities were successfully operated under the surgical correction project initiated under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. Besides this 5280 children with orthopedic impairments/ cerebral palsy were provided physiotherapy treatment, All the 6555 special needs children prescribed assistive devices by doctors were provided mobility aids like wheelchairs, tricycles, crutches, artificial limbs, braces and calipers etc. at camps organized for this purpose in April 2013, he added.
The minister said that Out of 383 children with low vision prescribed surgical correction, 72 children have been operated successfully. Out of 314 identified students suffering from Rheumatic/Congenital heart disease (RHD/CHD) who were awaiting treatment, 278 students have been operated successfully during the last year at various renowned hospitals like PGI Chandigarh, CMC and DMC Ludhiana and Fortis Hospital Mohali. Besides that 119 students suffering from Cancer were identified during the past year, who have been treated at PGI Chandigarh and Mohan Dai Oswal Cancer Hospital Ludhiana. There is no pendency of cancer patients awaiting treatment.