Kannoli Kaappom Scheme: CM Stalin Flags Off Mobile Multi-Purpose Ophthalmology Unit

Under "Kannoli Kaappom Scheme", Ophthalmologists will be equipped on behalf of the Department of Health and Family Welfare to test and provide free spectacles to those with defects.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin on Tuesday flagged off multi-purpose Ophthalmology Unit vehicles to deliver basic mobile ophthalmologic healthcare in five districts of the state. The initiative was carried out at the cost of Rs 1.50 crore.

According to ANI, "#WATCH | Chennai: Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin flagged off the Mobile Multi-Purpose Ophthalmology Unit Service Vehicles for the districts under the "Kannoli Kaappom Scheme" on behalf of the Department of Health and Family Welfare."

The Kannoli Kaapom Scheme currently aims at providing free spectacles to beneficiaries with eye defects.

Launching the scheme as part of International Week of Deaf People in September 2021, Stalin said, Kalaignar wanted to celebrate his birthday in a manner that could benefit the people and launched a number of initiatives including beggar's rehabilitation programme, kannoli scheme and abolished hand-pulled rickshaw. 

Initially, the then CM Karunanidhi in 2010 launched the 'Palli Sirar Kannoli Kaappom Scheme' at the Secretariat. The scheme was aimed at providing free corrective spectacles to school students. As part of the scheme, 1,00,412 students of Class 6,7 and 8 of government, government-aided and Corporation schools were tested in Chennai Corporation limit and of the total, 9,500 students were found to be needing corrective glasses.

Apart from Kannoli Kappom Thittam, Tamil Nadu launched several other initiatives including  Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam (healthcare at people’s doorsteps), Innuyir Kaappom (an initiative to save lives of road accident victims by providing free medical treatment within first 48 hours) and 'Varumun Kappom' (preventive healthcare) scheme.