Mangaluru : Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader said that the cochlear implant scheme introduced in Dakshina Kannada will be extended to other districts.

Addressing mediapersons here on Wednesday, during the distribution of free digital hearing aids, he said that in the district, ten children below five years of age, have undergone cochlear implant surgeries and five more are to undergo the treatment in near future and around 50 children have been operated in the state for hearing disabilities.

“The funds towards the scheme are mobilized through the PM and CM’s relief fund and through NGOs. The surgeries are done by Dr Hans from New Delhi and Dr Vasanti from Bengaluru. The identification of the needy will be done in Sedam and Kolar in the days to come and gradually, the scheme will be extended to other districts,” he added.

The minister said that steps will be taken to carry out screening of hearing ability of newborns at all government and private hospitals.

He added that efforts are on to open ICU in Lady Goschen Hospital. Two gynecologists, a DMO and a RMO have been appointed at the hospital.

Answering to a query on spotting a live worm in a chicken burger that was served at one of the stalls in Mangaluru, Khader said that notice has been issued to the stall, through the Food and Safety Dept.

A total of 133 beneficiaries were distributed free hearing aids in colloboration with Lions Club, Naseema Institute of Speech and Hearing, Bengaluru and Manasa Cochlear and ENT Centre, Bengaluru.

Lions Club district Governor Kavita Shastry, vice governor M Arun Shetty, District Health Officer Dr Ramakrishna, Naseema Institute of Speech and Hearing Chairman U T Zulfikar were present.