Call to sensitise people on eye donation

Vijayawada: District Medical and Health Officer Dr TVSN Sastry has called for joint efforts by the state government and civic organisations to sensitise people on eye donation to prevent corneal blindness.

Taking part as the chief guest in the valedictory of the Swetcha Gora Eye Bank fortnight long campaign on eye donation, he felt that the government should declare a year for eye donation and expressed the Krishna district medical and health department’s readiness to observe it as an year of eye donation as a pilot project with the involvement of medical and health workers.

Krishna District Blindness Control Programme manager Dr ESS Murthy said that his medical team would strive to sensitise people on eye donation and strive to conduct corneal replacement surgeries. He called upon people to come forward to donate eyes. The corneal replacement surgeries are a few because lack of enthusiasm on the part of people to undergo the surgery, he said. Former MP Chennupati Vidya said that the eye donation should be the last wish of every person. One person with the donation of cornea can gift sight to two persons.

Earlier, Executive Director of Swetcha Gora Eye Bank Dr G Samaram gave an account of various activities taken up as part of eye donation during the fortnight. He said awareness among people on eye donation is on the rise and appealed to them not to allow their eyes to get decomposed or destroyed by funeral pyre. Prizes were given away to winners of various competitions held during the fortnight.

Inner-Wheel Club of Vijayawada Golden Jubilee President Rasmi described eye donation as a symbol of humanity. She said prizes to winners of competitions have been sponsored by the Inner-Wheel Club of Vijayawada. Earlier, Dr Deeksha welcomed the guests. Swetcha Gora Eye Bank Manager Ravi Kumar D Ravi proposed a vote of thanks.