Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Jalandhar, September 1: The Health and Family Welfare Department of Punjab has started the special awareness drive for eye donation to generate maximum awareness amongst masses about the importance of eye donation as about 5000 blind persons were waiting for eye transplantation in Punjab.
Today addressing the state level workshop about Eye Donation at PIMS , Principal secretary of health and family welfare Mrs. Vinni Mahajan said that the Punjab government has decided to observe Eye Donation Fortnight in Punjab from August 25 to September 8 to create awareness among people about the eye donation as these blind people can get vision if enough corneas are available for transplantation.
She said that there are 13 Eye Banks in Punjab which are registered with Directorate of Research and Medical Education. They procure Eye balls and perform Cornea transplant Surgeries and the name and location of nearest eye bank is available by calling toll free No-104, she added.
Elaborating the process for eye donation, she said that the 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.
Ms. Vini Mahajan said that the state government was taking adequate steps to treat Corneal Blindness and towards that four identified reasons for such blindness were malnutrition, infections, injuries and post operative complications.
She further said that every one can donate eyes and 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.
Meanwhile the donor’s family were honored and also given a certificate of appreciation from the Eye Banks.
The State Programm officer, National Program for control of blindness, Dr. Rakesh Gupta said that the Punjab Government has provided special training to 50 eye surgeons of Punjab for eye transplantation, which makes the process so easier.
While addressing the gathering Dr. Kailash Kapoor, Civil Surgeon Jalandhar has said that the department has established 4 centres for eye donation which includes Civil Hospital Eye Department , Jalandhar, Eye Bank Guru Nanak Mission hospital , Eye Bank thind Eye Hospital, Manajan Eye Bank and hospital.
It may be mentioned here that more than 100 participants have filled pledge forms for eye donation during the workshop.
Prominent amongst present on the occasion Director Health and Family Welfare Dr. Bhag Mal, Director PIMS Dr. Kulbir Kaur, ADC (D) Kumar Amit, Prof. Bahadur Singh , President eye donation association hoshiarpur, SP Singh President Eye donation Jalandhar.
