Mangalore : Minister for Health and Family Welfare U T Khader has said that the long-pending demands of the people of Pavoor Uliya, in Mangalore constituency, of having a bridge to cross the river will be materialised with the government sanctioning a hanging bridge.

Addressing a press meet at Eden club Mangalore here on Tuesday, he said that access was a major problem during monsoon to the island. Boats were the only mode of transport to the island. The hanging bridge will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs three crore.

Malnad Area Development Board has released Rs 1.50 crore. The estimated plan of the hanging bridge was prepared by Girish Bharadwaj. The bridge will be 400 to 450 metre long.

Apart from the problems in reaching schools and offices on time, non-availability of transport to reach the mainland was a major concern during emergencies in the island. The bridge from the island towards National Highway at Adyar will help the people of the island in reaching the city.

To prevent diarrhoea in children below five years, the health department in association with the union government will create an awareness among people. The awareness will also be created on the available medicines to check diarrhoea in kids. The state-level awareness programme will be flagged off at Kadugondanahalli community health centre near Bangalore from July 30.

The awareness programme will be held till August 8.

The State government is mulling over the accident health insurance scheme which will ensure timely treatment for road accident victims.

“Whenever a road accident occurs, many fail to take the affected person to a hospital fearing treatment bill. Even if the victim is taken to the hospital, usually he/she is left unattended as the question of who will bear the treatment cost comes into focus.

To avoid delay in treatment, we are planning to bear an initial treatment cost of up to Rs 25,000 till 48 hours after the accident. The 48-hour was fixed because it would take at least two days for the family of the victim to find out about the accident and reach the hospital and the person to regain conscience. The government is holding discussion with the insurance companies on the issue. The discussions with medical colleges and hospitals are on to cover APL card holders under health insurance, he said.