Third mega vaccination drive on Sept 26

CHENNAI: The third mega vaccination drive will be held on September 26, Health Minister Ma Subramanian announced on Thursday. He said that after the two successful mega vaccination drives in the State, the third one targets to administer 15 lakh vaccine doses through 20,000 camps.

He said vaccination in the State slowed down post mega drives as the supply of vaccines was disrupted. Recently, Chief Minister MK Stalin had requested the Prime Minister to grant more doses for Tamil Nadu.

At least eight lakh more doses were received in the State on Thursday and there are a total of 14 lakh doses of vaccines available.

Meanwhile, a new initiative will be launched at all government hospitals and medical college hospitals in Tamil Nadu that will aim at diagnosing hypertension in those over 18 years of age on Friday.

Chief Minister will inaugurate the centre at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, along with another centre at the Madras Medical College that conducts various tests such as diagnosing Diabetes and other non-communicable diseases for those over 30 years of age.

The list of people diagnosed will be linked to the beneficiaries under Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam in the respective localities. So far, 9.47 lakh people have been benefitted under the scheme that targets about 1 crore people in the State.

The State health department will also provide hearing aids as part of National Deaf Week. Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Trichy District Government General Hospital and Krishnagiri Government General Hospital received ENT aid at a cost of

Rs 75 lakhs. The medical equipment will be handed over by the Chief Minister to the beneficiaries.