Speech learning centres to be set up in AP

Hyderabad, Sep 28 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today said that speech learning centres would be established in all the district headquarters hospitals in the state.

Speaking on the occasion of International Deaf and Dumb day, the Chief Minister, interacting with children who were operated upon successfully at his camp office here, said the government had launched the Cochlear Implantation programme under Arogyasri Health Insurance scheme for deaf and dumb children.

At present, Cochlear Implantation treatment was available in corporate hospitals and other ENT hospitals, he said adding the government had decided to introduce the system in all the government ENT hospitals for the benefit of children.

The government, under the Arogyasri health insurance scheme, would provid Cochlear Implantation treatment for children below six years costing Rs seven lakh to nine lakh per child free of cost.

The government had identified 142 children in the state and so far 113 children were operated upon at an expenditure of Rs 9.2 crore, he added.

A special training section would be established in junior colleges in Andhra, Telangana and Rayalaseema regions to impart training to the deaf and dumn children to help them to pursue higher education after passing the tenth standard. One section would be established at Baptla Degree College in Guntur district, he said.

UNI BR GL AS1734