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The Sruthitharangam Scheme by the Kerala government provides free cochlear implantation surgery for hearing-impaired children up to Read More... 5 years old from low-income families. Read less

Details

Hearing loss can be a significant challenge for a child's development. Recognizing this, the Government of Kerala has introduced the Sruthitharangam Scheme. This initiative aims to provide crucial support to young children facing hearing impairments by offering free cochlear implantation surgery. Implemented under the Kerala Social Security Mission by the Social Justice Department, the scheme focuses on early intervention and making advanced medical treatment accessible to those who need it most.

What is the Sruthitharangam Scheme?

Sruthitharangam, meaning 'wave of sound' in Malayalam, is a government initiative dedicated to helping hearing-impaired children. The core purpose of this scheme is to provide free cochlear implantation surgeries for children aged 0 to 5 years. Early intervention, especially within the first six months of life, is vital for the overall development of a child with hearing loss. A cochlear implant is a proven medical device that can significantly improve the hearing abilities of children with profound hearing impairment.

Who is the Scheme For?

This scheme is designed to support children who are hearing impaired and reside in Kerala. A key aspect is ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent families from accessing this life-changing treatment. Therefore, children from families with an annual income of less than ₹2 Lakhs are eligible to receive the benefits of the Sruthitharangam Scheme.

Why This Scheme Is Important

The Sruthitharangam Scheme addresses a critical need for early and effective intervention for hearing-impaired children. By offering free cochlear implantation and supporting Auditory Verbal Habilitation (AVH), the scheme aims to give these children a better chance at developing their communication skills and integrating fully into society. The scheme's implementation through both government and empaneled private hospitals ensures wider accessibility and quality of care.

Objective

The Sruthitharangam Scheme by the Kerala government provides free cochlear implantation surgery for hearing-impaired children up to 5 years old from low-income families.

Benefits

Capital investment subsidies to reduce the financial burden on industries

Interest subsidies to encourage borrowing for industrial projects

Power tariff subsidies to lower operational costs

Skill development support to enhance the employability of the local workforce

Assistance for land acquisition to facilitate establishment of industries

Sector-specific incentives for IT, agro-based industries, tourism, and renewable energy

Streamlined approval processes and single-window clearance for ease of doing business

Sources and references

Official Notification

Who Can Apply?

The child must be a resident of Kerala State.
The child must be suffering from hearing impairment.
The child should generally be between 0 to 3 years of age.
The annual family income of the applicant must be below ₹2 Lakhs.

Important Exception: The Screening Committee has the power to consider children up to 5 years of age on a case-by-case basis. This exception can be made if the committee believes there is a high chance of successful outcomes or for other significant technical reasons.

How to Apply

To apply for the Sruthitharangam Scheme, you need to follow these steps:

Obtain the application form. You can download it from the official website of the Kerala Social Security Mission or collect a physical copy from their office.
Fill out the application form completely and accurately.
Gather all the necessary documents as listed below.
Submit the filled application form along with the required documents directly to the office of the Executive Director, Kerala Social Security Mission.

Address for Submission:
Executive Director,
Kerala Social Security Mission,
Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala-695012
Phone No: 0471 2341200

Hospitals Covered Under the Scheme:

Govt. Medical College Hospital, Trivandrum.
Govt. Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode.
Govt. Medical College Hospital, Kottayam.
KIMS Hospital, Trivandrum.
Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi.
Dr. Noushad’s ENT Institute and Research Centre, Ernakulam.
West Fort Hi-Tech Hospital, Thrissur.
Dr. Manoj’s ENT Super Speciality Institute & Research Centre, Kozhikode.
MIMS Hospital, Kozhikode.
ASCENT ENT Hospital, Perinthalmanna

Documents You'll Need

Proof of Identity (e.g., Aadhaar Card, Voter ID)
Proof of the child's age (e.g., Birth Certificate)
Income Certificate to confirm family income is below ₹2 Lakhs per year.
Copy of BPL card, if applicable.
Copy of Ration card, if applicable.
Residence Certificate to confirm you are a resident of Kerala.
Passport-size photograph of the child.
Medical reports related to the child's hearing impairment.

FAQ’s

What is the main goal of the Sruthitharangam Scheme?

The scheme's primary aim is to provide free cochlear implantation surgery to hearing-impaired children. It also offers financial help for Auditory Verbal Habilitation (AVH) to help children who undergo surgery through the designated hospitals.

Can children with profound hearing loss benefit from this scheme?

Yes, cochlear implantation is a recognized treatment for profound hearing loss. This scheme offers this surgery free of cost to eligible children, aiming to improve their hearing abilities significantly.

Is there an age limit for children to be eligible for this scheme?

Generally, the scheme is for children aged 0 to 3 years. However, the Screening Committee can make exceptions for children up to 5 years old if they believe it's highly beneficial or technically warranted.

What is the income requirement to apply for the Sruthitharangam Scheme?

Families applying for the scheme should have an annual income of less than ₹2 Lakhs.

Does the applicant need to be a resident of Kerala to apply?

Yes, the scheme is exclusively for residents of Kerala State.

Besides government hospitals, where else can the surgery be done?

The scheme is implemented through both government medical colleges and selected private hospitals that are empaneled for this purpose.

How are the children chosen for the cochlear implant surgery?

Children are selected for cochlear implantation by specific Regional and State level technical committees formed for this purpose.

What are the benefits provided by the Sruthitharangam Scheme?

The primary benefit is free cochlear implantation surgery for eligible hearing-impaired children. The scheme also covers financial support for Auditory Verbal Habilitation (AVH).

Where can I find the application form for this scheme?

You can download the application form from the official website of the Kerala Social Security Mission, or you can collect it in person from their office.

What medical documents are needed for the application?

You will need to submit the child's medical reports related to their hearing impairment as part of the application.

Can a child older than 3 years but younger than 5 be considered for the scheme?

Yes, exceptions can be made for children between 3 and 5 years of age. The Screening Committee decides these cases based on the potential for success or other technical factors.

What proof of income is required?

You need to provide an Income Certificate to prove that your annual family income is below ₹2 Lakhs. If applicable, copies of BPL or Ration cards can also be submitted.