Telangana govt launches Arogyasri health cards for children without parents
Hyderabad, May 17 (UNI) In a heartwarming initiative, Telangana Women and Child Welfare Minister Dr Danasari Anasuya Seethakka on Saturday distributed Arogyasri health cards to orphaned children for the first time in the state.
The event, held at Tourism Plaza in Begumpet, marked a significant leap toward inclusive healthcare for vulnerable children.
Minister Seethakka, who was the chief guest at the event, was warmly welcomed by children from Shishu Vihar who presented her with a plant. In an emotional moment, the Minister embraced the children, showering them with affection and kisses, symbolising the government's commitment to act as a guardian for those without families.
Calling the move a 'revolutionary decision,' Minister Seethakka said, 'All children without parents are government children. We are now their family. By issuing Arogyasri cards, we're not just offering medical security but also showing that they are not alone.'
The Arogyasri cards will enable orphaned children to access free treatment worth up to Rs 10 lakh in corporate hospitals, covering a wide range of health issues. This landmark measure aims to alleviate the healthcare struggles faced by orphans and provide them with a safety net equivalent to that of a supportive family.
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, MP Anil Kumar Yadav, Hyderabad Mayor Gadwala Vijayalakshmi, Deputy Mayor Mote Srilatha, and Hyderabad Collector Anudeep Durshetty participated in the distribution ceremony.
Women and child welfare secretary Anita Ramachandran and director Kanti Wesley were also present.
The ministers handed out the health cards to children under the care of daycare centres, with many officials expressing joy at being able to serve as 'parents' in the absence of biological ones. 'When children lose their parents and have no one to support them, it becomes the government's moral responsibility to step in,' said Seethakka.
The event also included games and entertainment for the children, creating a festive and supportive atmosphere. In a touching gesture, Minister Seethakka was seen feeding a child lovingly, further underscoring her emotional connection to the cause.
UNI VV PRS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
United News of India
2 hours ago
- United News of India
India's active Covid-19 cases near 6,000 as Kerala, Gujarat lead uptick
New Delhi, June 6 (UNI) India is witnessing a slow uptick in Covid-19 cases, with active infections being reported from nearly every state, except Arunachal Pradesh. As of 8 am on June 6, the total number of active infections across the country has reached 5,862, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Four deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours against seven fatalities a previous day. Kerala continues to report the highest daily caseload as it recorded 192 new infections in the past 24 hours, taking its active case tally to 1,679. Two Covid-related deaths were also reported from the state on June 5. Following Kerala, Gujarat has emerged as the second-most affected state in terms of daily new cases, reporting 107 new infections during the same period while its current active caseload stands at 615. The national capital Delhi reported 30 new cases, with the city having recorded seven deaths related to Covid-19 since January 1, 2025. What could be a matter of concern to the authorities, states including Delhi, Maharashtra, and Gujarat have crossed the 500 active cases mark. Health authorities have urged citizens to re-adopt basic preventive measures such as masking in crowded places, maintaining hand hygiene, and staying home if symptomatic. Hospitals and district health centres have been directed to ensure that oxygen beds and ICU facilities are prepared, particularly for patients with comorbidities. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a rise in COVID-19 test positivity rates to 11% across 73 countries, mirroring peaks last seen in July 2024. The increase is driven by new emerging variants, including NB.1.8.1, particularly affecting the Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific regions. UNI AJ PRS
United News of India
4 hours ago
- United News of India
Telangana Cabinet okays pending DAs for govt staff
Hyderabad, May 6 (UNI) In the backdrop of employee unions threatening agitation over long pending demands, the Telangana Cabinet has approved the release of two pending Dearness Allowances (DAs) to the staff and also sanctioned Rs 700 crore to clear their pending bills. Briefing the media after a marathon cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister a Revanth Reddy held here on Thursday night, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka said that a part of the two DAs will be implemented immediately, and another six months. Bhatti, who heads the cabinet sub-committee on employees' grievances, gave a detailed presentation and said it was decided that the pending bills of employees amounting to ₹700 crore per month should be cleared without delay. About the health insurance scheme for employees, he said a trust would be set up under the leadership of the chief secretary and officials would be members of the trust. Under the scheme, each employee will contribute ₹500 per month, and the government will contribute an equal amount, the Deputy CM said. He said the government accepted the employee unions' demand for a 12.5 per cent quota in the secretariat. The government was also inclined to form a medical invalidation committee to assess cases of medical retirement, he said. The cabinet decided not to re-employ retired employees, he said. Referring to grading of panchayat staff, Bhatti said employees working in village panchayats would be graded according to the panchayats' classification. The Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) will be set up for processing employees' promotions, said the minister. Officers and employees who were transferred during the election period would be sent back to their original positions, he said. The government agreed to establish a director of nursing, he said, adding the Cabinet decided to increase Rs 2 lakh towards retirement benefits for Anganwadi workers. The pending bills related to government officials' rental vehicles would be cleared, and the vehicle limits will be revised upwards, he added. UNI KNR PRS
NDTV
5 hours ago
- NDTV
Universal Artificial Blood For All Types In Clinical Trials, Could Save Millions
In a medical breakthrough that could save millions of lives, Japanese researchers have started clinical trials to explore the effectiveness and safety of universal artificial blood. Led by Professor Hiromi Sakai at Nara Medical University, the artificial blood, usable for all blood types, could have a shelf life of up to two years. If successful, it could transform the emergency medicare system across the globe. Their approach involves extracting haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying molecule in red blood cells, from expired donor blood. It is then encased in a protective shell to create stable, virus-free artificial red blood cells, according to a report in Newsweek. Unlike donated blood, these artificial cells have no blood type, eliminating the need for compatibility testing and making them invaluable in emergencies. Notably, donated blood has a shelf life of just 42 days, and even then, there is not enough of it, and requires compatibility amongst different blood groups. For the trial, the researchers administered 100 to 400 millilitres of the artificial blood to 16 healthy adult volunteers in March. If the test safety and efficacy are achieved, the researchers are hoping for practical use by 2030, making Japan the first country in the world to deploy artificial blood for real-world medical care. "The need for artificial blood cells is significant as there is currently no safe substitute for red cells," said Professor Sakai. Social media reacts Reacting to the start of the clinical trials, social media users marvelled at the potential implications with some claiming it was a Nobel Prize-winning endeavour, if it was a success. "If true, and not inordinately expensive, this is going to be completely transformational," said one user, while another added: "If it is safe, this is worth a Nobel Prize." A third commented: "Japanese scientists are really doing the most between this, regrowing teeth, and the shots that make cats live longer. Really hope this stuff makes it worldwide." Notably, the US has been developing ErythroMer (made from 'recycled' haemoglobin) for the past few years, and has already started pre-clinical testing. Last year, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced a Rs 394 crore ($46 million) grant to a University of Maryland-led consortium to develop a shelf-stable, field-deployable whole blood substitute with ErythroMer as its core.
