Date:30/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/30/stories/2008123051080300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Eluru

VIRRD floated for the specially abled at Dwaraka Tirumala

Staff Reporter

ELURU: A 30-bedded hospital for treating physically disabled and polio patients was recently started at Dwaraka Tirumala under the banner of Sri Venkateswara Institute of Research and Rehabilitation for the Disabled (VIRRD). The Dwaraka Tirumala Devasthanam has allotted five acres of land for construction of buildings for the hospital under the supervision of a managing trustee for which the Executive Officer of the temple is the Chairman, according to its secretary P.B. Chandrasekhara Rao.

Latest equipment

Although the hospital was presently functioning in a rented building, it was proposed to be shifted to the new buildings to be built at the devasthanam’s site, he explained.

The hospital is equipped with the latest surgical equipment and operation theatres. Screening tests were conducted for identification of patients by a team of doctors led by Dr. Jagadish of the Balaji Institute and Rehabilitation for Disabled (BIRRD) located in Tirupati.

350 patients screened

About 350 patients with disability were screened and 90 cases were identified for surgery to be undertaken at a health camp scheduled to be held from January 16 to 18 at Dwaraka Tirumala.

The patients would be provided with food and walking aids like calipers during the camp, Mr. Rao explained. People suffering from disability from West Godavari and the neighbouring Khammam districts may attend the camp and avail themselves of the medical facilities for their treatment, he said.