Braving the scorching heat, Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan endeared herself to members of the Konda Reddi tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), in remote tribal pockets of Bhadradri-Kothagudem district by visiting their thatched houses, having lunch with them and launching a string of initiatives aimed at improving access to healthcare and ensuring their all-round development.
The Governor on Tuesday visited the remote Pusukunta village in Dammapeta mandal in the tribal heartland as part of her pilot project to improve the nutritional status of Konda Reddi tribals.
Clad in their traditional attire, Konda Reddi tribals gave a rousing welcome to the Governor amid pulsating drum beats. The interior tribal habitation, which is one among the two remote habitations adopted by the Governor for implementation of the nutrition intervention programme on a pilot basis, came alive with a festive atmosphere.
A visibly elated Governor handed over a cheque of ₹44.32 lakh for the development of the adopted tribal habitations from her discretionary grant. She laid foundation stones for two community halls, one each in Pusukunta and Gogulapudi habitations, and additional classrooms at the primary school in Pusukunta.
She also handed over two electric three-wheeler ambulances to the Konda Reddi tribes of the two habitations.
She visited some of the thatched dwellings of Konda Reddi tribal people to get a first-hand experience of their living conditions and the age-old Adivasi traditions and customs. A team of doctors from the ESIC Medical College from Hyderabad conducted a health camp in Pusukunta. Dr. Soundararajan, a gynaecologist by profession, examined a woman at the health camp. She distributed nutrient rich traditional “Mahua laddus” to the local women.
Ultrasound scanning tests and other required diagnostic tests were performed by the team of doctors during the camp. One brain tumour and two abdominal tumour cases were detected.
More than 75% of the local tribal women were found to be suffering from anaemia.
Addressing a large gathering of Adivasis, the Governor assured required medical help to the needy patients. Sustained and collective efforts are needed for the all-round development of the tribal habitations, she said, emphasising the need for providing the required medical facilities for the needy in the remote tribal pockets.
“Your (PVTGs) health, nutrition, education, livelihoods and your wellbeing are among my top priorities. Not only as the Governor but as a doctor also, I am concerned about your health, nutrition and wellbeing,” she remarked. “I appeal to all to join hands for the wellbeing of PVTGs,” she said and added, “Based on the success of the pilot project here, similar initiatives will be extended to other remote tribal habitations with a special focus on PVTGs.”
