Kerala: Centre allocates Rs 1600 cr to patients suffering from Sickle Cell Anaemia

Union Tribal Minister Arjun Munda told in Attappadi, Palakkad that Central Government has allocated Rs 1600 cr for the welfare of the patients who suffer sickle cell anaemia (A group of disorders that cause red blood cells to become misshapen and break down); as per reports seven crore people will be the beneficiaries. This is a first ever scheme in the entire Country. The Union Minister was addressing a meeting at Swami Vivekananda Medical Hospital in the Attapadi, the tribal hamlet in Palakkad district. After which he inaugurated the second floor and the attached building with modern amenities.

Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission is an offshoot of Vanavasi Vikas Kendra, the Kerala chapter of Sangh-inspired Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram.

Union Minister Arjun Munda said, Vivekananda Medical Mission, Attappadi, materialises, through their selfless activities, the dreams of Swami Vivekananda. Another amount of Rs 12,500 cr has been allocated for the infrastructure facilities of the Vanvasi tribal community Prathna which is in need of special attention. He declared that own building would be constructed for their residential school of Ekalavya style. Also, the Minister called for an enquiry into the rising rate of infant mortalities and Vanvasi communities.

Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission Trust president V P S Menon presided V K Sreekandan MP and Bharatiya Janata Mahila Morcha national president Vanathi Srinivas MLA (Coimbatore), Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission Chief Medical Officer Dr Narayanan Venkitasubramani, famous tribal singer Nanjiyamma (winner of national award for the best female singer), Attapadi Block Panchayat President Maruthi Murugan, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) independent director Gopal Krishna Agarwal also BJP national spokesperson, BPCL Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Chief Manager Vineeth Varghese, Swami Jnanamurtyananda Puri, KIMS Hospital CEO Reshmi Aysha, Bradken India Private Limited CSMK Renjith, Akhil Bharatheeya Seema Jagaran Manch Samyojak A Gopalakrishnan and Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission Trust Secretary S Sajimon spoke on the occasion.