Subsidized eye care foundation launched at SHRC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 29 2015 : With the aim of realising its objective of extending available healthcare facilities to all sections of the society cutting across economic barrier, Subsidized Section of Shija Eye Care Foundation was today launched at Shija Hospitals and Research Institute, Langol.

The foundation is the first of its kind in Manipur which is committed to treat eye related diseases and problems at minimum and affordable price for all.

Chief guest of the function, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam launched subsidized section of eye care foundation.

Commerce and Industries, Sericulture and Vety and Animal Husbandry Minister Govindas Konthoujam was the guest of honour while chairman cum MD of Shija Hospitals and Research Institute, Dr Kh Palin was the functional president.

The newly launched subsidized section of Shija Eye Care Foundation is mentored by the Arvind Eye Care System of Madurai.

It is a unit of Shija Health Care and Research Institute which was inducted in 2008 .

The centre would render treatment for various eye related problems at subsidised rate.

Dy CM Gaikhangam inaugurating the eye care foundation

It has now evolved as a model eye care centre in the region with a wide range of advanced investigative, preventive and therapeutic facilities with highly qualified and experienced medical and paramedical personnel.

The centre offers speciality clinics for patients requiring advanced care like cornea and anterior segment, glaucoma and neuro-opthalmology, vitreous-retina services, oculoplasty and ocular oncology and paediatric ophthalmology and squint.

Before the induction of the subsidized section, the Shija Eye Care Foundation has been rendering service to the people of Manipur and Myanmar.

It has been conducting about 109 medical camps all across the State every year.

In a survey conducted by LAICO (a part of Arvind Eye Care System), it was reported that about 90,000 people of Manipur needs refractive surgery of glaucoma and only about 16 pc of patients are covered by the hospitals in curing glaucoma.

With the subsidized section the Eye Care Foundation aims to eliminate such avoidable blindness.

Stating that the State is at the crossroads of transition, Gaikhangam said that Manipur has the right ingredients to develop as health and educational tourism hot-spot.

With the coming of the Act East policy, Manipur will face the dreaded economic war which should be taken seriously by the youth of the State and prepare themselves to adapt to the inevitable changes, he added.

He stated, instead of fighting among ourselves and creating chaos hindering growth and development, it is high time the people prepare themselves for the inevitable changes in the coming years.

He lauded the initiative taken up by SHRI to provide affordable treatment to the public.

He added that such steps would surely attract foreign patients if the hospitals meet international standard and it could mean a leap forward towards development in the field of medical science and health care facilities.

Gaikhangam added that the prospect of education and health care tourism should be given priority to attract tourists so that there can be a boom in the tourism sector.

Meanwhile, Minister Govindas Konthoujam appreciated the step taken by SHRI to expand affordable health care treatment.

Dr Palin said that cases of cataract and glaucoma are increasing in the State and such subsidized section of eye care foundation would benefit the economically weaker section of the society.

He added "Health care facilities which cannot be afforded are as good as useless".

He urged the State Govt to consider the problems of affordability faced by private institutions and stated that Public-Private-Partnership model could become handy in solving it.

All patients can now avail eye treatment at subsidised rate at the Foundation.