CUTTACK: The Melvin Jones Lions Eye Hospital today announced plans for establishing a state-of-the-art Eye Bank to not only be able to provide vision to the blind but also promote the cause of eye donation among the people in and around Cuttack district.
It would have all the facilities for not only corneal collection but also preservation of corneas for use. It would have both hospital corneal retrieval facility as well as corneal collection at the door-step. A composite unit comprising a fully equipped ambulance along with a doctor and paramedical staff would be set up for the purpose.
The coverage areas would be within 100 km radius of Cuttack city.
Besides, extensive campaigns would also be undertaken for generating awareness on eye donation among the common public. Eyes can be donated within six hours of death and one donation can provide vision for two people. But there is a presumption among the people that eye donation means taking out the whole eyes, which is the main hindrance in voluntary donation. “We plan to make people aware that only corneas would be collected and the eyes would be intact in the dead person,” Lions Club spokesperson Ashok Sharma told mediapersons here today.
The hospital is also set to intensify its school screening programme across the district. It is estimated that while one person goes blind every five seconds a child loses vision every minute. With the objective of preventing child blindness in the State, the hospital has planned to screen 10,000 children in the district this year. “The children are provided with free treatment and glasses etc, after they are screened with vision defects. In 2010, 6,499 schoolchildren were screened,” Chairman GK Kandoi said.
The 40-bed hospital has also added a new four-table operation theatre to its facility.
The hospital celebrated its annual day in the presence of State Health Minister Prasanna Acharya yesterday. Among others, Secretary M Udaypuria and CMO Dr Kiranbala Bhandari were present.