Patients with corneal ulcer were treated and made to lead normal life.
There were a large number of people in the country willing to donate if the funds went to a honest organisation and were utilised for the said cause. Aravind Eye Hospital had demonstrated this by treating poor patients free of cost for corneal ulcer with funds provided by Standard Chartered Bank, said Shivraj V. Patil, former Judge of the Supreme Court, here on Thursday.
He was speaking at the valedictory function of a comprehensive free eye care treatment for patients with corneal ulcer offered by Aravind Eye Hospital. In order to ensure their recovery through sustained treatment, in addition to free treatment and medicines, the patient and an accompanying person were reimbursed their travel and food expenses during the three months they visited the hospital.
Over 3,000 patients with corneal ulcer were treated and made to lead normal life by the hospital by using the corporate responsibility funds of Standard Chartered Bank worth Rs 60 lakh.
Project for farmers
Paddy farmers are prone to corneal ulcer, especially during the threshing period, when flying particles of husk tend to tear the cornea.
“This causes severe pain and treatment has to start in two days,” said N. Venkatesh Prajna, chief of the Department of Cornea at the hospital.
Mr. Shivraj Singh Patil also hailed the hospital for the project. “The farmers who are under pain turn out to be a liability for their family. This project has helped to create a fit citizen for the country,” he said.
Addressing the gathering, S. Venkatesan, Member of Parliament, appreciated the hospital for successfully treating farmers and workers for an ailment that would have robbed their vision. He also stressed that hospitals had to work towards fulfilling the needs of poor patients.
R. D. Ravindran, Chairman, Aravind Eye Care System, said that the hospital was trying to provide affordable and accessible healthcare services to poor patients.