CM to flag off disability awareness campaign

Chief Minister K Rosaiah will flag off a rally from the Secretariat to People's Plaza on Feb 26, as part of the campaign aimed at making ‘AP Disabled Free from Now’.

The State-wide campaign is aimed at creating awareness among citizens, the steps which can be taken to prevent disabilities.

This was revealed to media persons by State Disabled Welfare Principal Secretary Chaya Ratan on Monday.

Ms Ratan said a study conducted by the state had found that about two per cent of the state’s population numbering about 14 lakh persons, were suffering from disabilities and a majority of them could be prevented if intervened at right time with some behavioural changes. ''We need to propagate pregnancy as a special lifetime event and treat expectant mother with care and protection -- ensuring good nutrition, proper healthcare, stress-free environment, 100 iron and folic acid tablets and a safe institutional delivery,'' she said.

She stressed the need for timely immunisation of both mother and child, adequate nutrition with stimulating environment for children, especially colostrum at birth and exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months, Vitamin A supplements for children, safe drinking water and iodised salt consumption daily by family.