50 crore for optometry; Free specs and medicines for poor

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Finance Minister K N Balagopal announced a scheme of 50 crore in the budget for optometry. This project was introduced in the name 'Nerkazcha'. The minister informed that this is a project where all families of the state will be subjected to eye examination with the aim of eye health for all.

The project will be completed in four years. This is a popular campaign involving health workers, Asha workers and Kudumbashree volunteers. The minister said that free spectacles will be given to visually impaired based on economic backwardness and free medical advice and medicines will be provided to all visually impaired.