The Odisha government on September 12 said that a mobile app will be developed for the treatment of mentally retarded children in the state.

Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Minister Ashok Chandra Panda said that the mobile app will be developed with cooperation of the Digital Academy run by National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (NIMHANS), Bengaluru. Panda said that he has recently discussed the issue with NIMHANS Director B.N. Gangadhar.

His ministry and NIMHANS will work in close cooperation to develop the device through the Digital Academy, he added. The Minister also informed that he had a detailed discussion on post-trauma psychological care and counseling undertaken by NIMHANS for natural disasters like 'Fani' in the state. He also said that Narayan Hrudayalaya, a renowned health institution for heart-related diseases, has been requested to speed up its work for establishment of a hospital in Bhubaneswar.