The Hindu             05.08.2013

100 sanitary workers receive safety, disinfectant materials

A total of 100 sanitary workers of Pudukottai municipality were given safety and disinfectant materials at a function here on Saturday. N. Subramanian, Minister for Adi Dravidar Welfare, spoke on the importance of personal hygiene for the sanitary workers. Although they prevented the incidence of any epidemic or endemic by clearing garbage, they lacked adequate awareness of their personal hygiene. He appreciated the efforts of the Doctor Award, a non-governmental organisation, which donated the materials to the workers.

A. Kalaimagal, president of the Doctor Award, said that the non-governmental organisation had been striving for the socio-economic development of sanitary workers in four select areas of the municipality. Sanitary workers suffer injuries caused by pieces of glass or are found with the symptoms of tuberculosis. Even the children of the workers are found with the symptoms of the disease. The use of disinfectant and safety materials such as shoes, masks, jerkin, caps, and gloves would step up awareness.

Explaining the initiative taken for educating dropouts, she said that as many as 120 children in and around Pudukottai were admitted to the schools this year during a special drive.

S.A. Sait, municipal chairman (in-charge), and V.R. Kathick Thondaiman, MLA, spoke.