More than 1.67 lakh operations were performed in the last financial year
Free spectacles given to 53 thousand elders and 37 thousand children
25 percent more operation than the target of cataract operation, eye test of 11 lakh children in schools
Raipur. 14 April 2023
In Chhattisgarh, the work of getting rid of eye disorders is going on on mission mode. In the recently concluded financial year 2022-23, a total of one lakh 67 thousand 716 operations have been performed in the state to restore eyesight. Of these, one lakh 35 thousand 113 are for cataract and 32 thousand 603 are for other eye diseases. Free spectacles have also been provided to 53 thousand 659 people above 40 years of age and 37 thousand 302 children suffering from eye disorders. The Health Department team has also checked the eyes of one lakh 77 thousand 577 children by visiting schools across the state.
State Nodal Officer of National Blindness and Short Vision Control Program Dr. Subhash Mishra informed that one lakh 35 thousand 113 cataract operations were performed in the state in the last financial year. This is the highest number of operations conducted in the state so far in a year. A target of one lakh seven thousand 600 cataract operations was set in the financial year 2022-23. Crossing this benchmark, the Health Department has performed a total of one lakh 35 thousand 113 operations, which is 25 percent more than the target. Along with cataract, 32 thousand 603 operations have been done for other eye diseases during this period.
Dr. Mishra said that all district hospitals of the state have facilities for eye surgery. Along with these, eye surgeries are also being successfully performed in Bhatapara, Pathalgaon and Supela Civil Hospitals, Patna, Manendragarh, Sonhat and Udaipur Community Health Centers. Quality eye operations are also being done in all the medical colleges. State level eye hospital has been started in Mana Civil Hospital near the capital Raipur.
Under the Rashtriya Netra Jyoti Abhiyan in all the districts of the state, operations are being done on priority to achieve Cataract Blindness Backlog Free Status. Under this, so far seven districts Kabirdham, Raipur, Balodabazar-Bhatapara, Raigarh, Dhamtari, Rajnandgaon and Balod have submitted claims at the state level for cataract blindness backlog free status. After state level verification of Kabirdham and Raipur district, the claim letter has been sent to the Government of India. The work of verification is going on in the remaining five districts.
Under the National Blindness and Short Vision Control Program in the state, one million 77 thousand 577 school children have been eye tested in the last financial year. During this, free spectacles have been provided to 37 thousand 302 students suffering from eye disorders. In the state, 53 thousand 659 people above 40 years of age have been given presbyopic glasses to improve near vision.
Under the Corneal Blindness Free State Scheme, a target has been set to make Chhattisgarh a corneal blindness free state by the year 2025. In the last financial year, 244 corneas were obtained against the target of 400 corneas through eye donation. Presently six eye banks and four corneal transplant centers are registered in the state, which have been allotted districts of their jurisdiction. Eyesight is being restored to the people identified by these centers by transplanting the corneas obtained after the tests and if found suitable.
