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Chandigarh August 25: The Punjab government to observe Eye Donation Fortnight in Punjab from August 25 to September 8.
Disclosing this here today, Principal Secretary Health Ms. Vini Mahajan said that main focus during the fortnight would be to generate maximum awareness amongst masses about the importance of eye donation as about 12 Lakh people in india suffer from corneal blindness. These blind people can get vision if enough corneas are available for transplantation. A State level workshop about Eye Donation would also be organized on September 1 at in PIMS Jalandhar, she said.
She said that there are 13 Eye Banks in government and private Sectors in Punjab. These are registered with Directorate of Research and Medical Education. They procure Eye balls and perform Cornea transplant Surgeries.
Ms. Mahajan also said that an on-line proforma for organ/eye donation is available on our Website-www.pbhealth.gov.in. Anyone pledging organs/eyes gets a hard copy of donor card by post. A proforma to pledge eyes is being given to the applicants of Driving License as a hard copy at the time of application. The name and location of nearest eye bank is available by calling toll free No-104.
Ms. Vini Mahajan said that the state government was taking adequate steps to treat Corneal Blindness. She said that four identified reasons for such blindness were malnutrition, infections, injuries and post operative complications.
Dr.Rakesh Gupta State Programme Officer said that every one can donate eyes. People of any age, Spectacle users, Eye operated persons, Diabetics and Hypertensive. A person who desires to pledge eyes for donation should discuss his/her wish to Donate Eyes with family. Families can donate the eyes of their dear departed ones even if it has not been pledged before. Removal of Eyes takes 15-20 minutes only does not delay funeral arrangements. The donor’s family receives a certificate of appreciation from the Eye Bank. Eyes are evaluated at the Eye Bank and only the ones deemed suitable are used for transplant. Others are used for research and education. He added that corneal transplantation should be done within 2 – 3 days post-removal. Recipients are notified on a first come first served basis is from the registry.
