Imphal, October 08 2009: For the first time in the medical history of Manipur, in three months, cataract operations have been conducted successfully restoring sight to 551 patients in Thoubal district.

Out of the 551 patients, 317 are female while the remaining 234 are male.

Among these patients, a 14-year old boy had already been issued disability certificate on account of his blindness by the Social Welfare Department.

The sight of the boy has been restored after the operation.

Under the Mission for Vision Programme sponsored by the National Programme for Control of Blindness, Shija Eye Care Foundation, Langol and District Blindness Control Society, Thoubal have conducted a series of free cataract surgery camps for three months, starting from June 25 this year, in different parts of Thoubal district like Heirok, Thoubal, Kakching, Langmeidong and Hiyanglam.

After proper screening of the patients, the operations were conducted.

Addressing a press conference in this connection at the auditorium of Shija Hospital today, Managing Director of the Hospital, Dr Kh Palin, pointed out that among the various causes of blindness in human being, cataract accounts for the highest number.

The rate of cataract cases in Manipur is 1 percent.

Since Manipur has a total population of 25 lakh people, this indicates that out of every 100 persons, one is suffering from cataract.

So it is to control blindness, as a result of cataract formation, that the Mission for Vision has been launched.

The Mission was launched for the first time in Senapati district in 2008 and the second phase of the Mission has been conducted successfully in Thoubal district, Dr Palin said.

Expressing gratitude to District Control Blindness Control Society, Thoubal as well as other local clubs and organisations for their support and co-operation towards organising the free cataract surgery camp successfully, Dr Palin noted that the difficulties the people had to undergo to avail cataract operation has been solved under this public-private partnership (PPP) model.

Under this PPP model, similar efforts would also be made to detect cataract cases and perform operation on the patients in the other remaining districts of the State, Dr Palin assured.

He also announced that Shija Eye Care Foundation would be conducting free eye care consultation at Shija Hospital on last Saturday of every month.

Head of Shija Eye Care Foundation Prof Lala, who was also present at the occasion, observed that timely detection and treatment of cataract can prevent blindness on human being Reminding the target set under the National Programme for Control of Blindness to perform cataract operations on 2000 patients in Manipur within the current year, Dr Lala also appealed to all the doctors to leave aside their professional conflicts and join hands in achieving this target.

Programme Manager of District Blindness Control Society, Thoubal Dr Renu informed that of all the cataract operation camps conducted in the past in Manipur, the recent camp held in Thoubal district had recorded the highest success rate.

The main reason for this is the efficiency of the Shija Hospital which has ultimately win the confidence of the people, Dr Renu observed.

Comment