Lions Eye Hospital celebrates two decades of services

From Our Correspondent

Silchar, Feb 11: Lions Eye Hospital Silchar, a project of Lions Club of Silchar Central, celebrated the completion of its two decades of relentless distinguished service rendered in the field of eye care, its prevention and eradication of blindness, at the premises of the Hospital on Saturday. The occasion was graced by the presence of legendary ophthalmologist and founder medical director and trustee of Sri Sankardeva Nethralaya, Dr Harsha Bhattacharjee. The 64 year old iconic doctor threw light on ‘Community Ophthalmology’ through an enlightening PowerPoint presentation. He also pointed out that the health services of the country were suffering due to the country’s poor economic condition.

Community Ophthalmology is a relatively new discipline in medicine which promotes eye health and blindness prevention through programmes that utilizes methodologies related to ophthalmology, public health and community medicine. “It is unfortute that proper training in most of the medical colleges and hospitals is not given to students. This forces them to undergo extra special training programmes. Such vital issues should be addressed at the earliest,” said Dr Harsha Bhattacharjee. Speaking on an advisory note, Ophthalmologist Dr H K Choudhury of Choudhury Eye Hospital and Research Centre, Hospital road, Silchar said, “Problems related to eye care are more prevalent in remote areas.”

“A recently held eye camp in Hailakandi district revealed that people are uware about the possible signs and symptoms of gradual diminishing loss of sight and complete blindness. A large number of people were treated and sent for cataract operation in Silchar Lions Eye Hospital”, Dr H K Choudhury added to say. It was the founder president of the hospital Amarth Khandelwal who chronicled the history of this prestigious hospital which came into being on July 27, 1997. The status and basic infrastructural report of the hospital was put forth by Arindam Bhattacharjee, one of the active members of the Lions Club, Silchar.

Silchar Lions Eye Hospital has been built on 1600 square feet land having 5 floors, separate operation theatres, 50 beds, 2 wards, 3 air conditioned cabins, 2 non air conditioned cabins.