In the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi’s enduring legacy, MGIMS and Kasturba Hospital organized their annual Gandhi Jayanti Eye Camp on October 2, 2024, to commemorate the 155th birth anniversary of the Mahatma.
What began as a modest initiative has evolved into a lifeline for the people of Wardha and adjoining areas. Held at the Eye OPD of Kasturba Hospital, the camp saw 583 patients thoroughly examined for a range of eye conditions, from common cataracts to complex glaucoma cases. Patients from places such as Adilabad, Rajura, Sirpur, Bhandara, Jalgaon, Warangal, Motala, Chandrapur, Korpana, Kalamb, Bhadrawati, Nagpur, Warora, Anandwan, Buldhana, Pandharkawada, Chandur Railway, Ballarshah, Amravati, Kaghaz Nagar, Yavatmal, and Baitul availed themselves of the services provided in the camp.
Dr. Smita Singh (Director Professor & Head of Ophthalmology), emphasized the deeper purpose of the camp, stating, “This camp is not just about medical treatment—it’s about restoring the dignity that vision brings to a person’s life. In the coming weeks, we will conduct surgeries for cataracts, glaucoma, lacrimal sac disorders, and various eyelid conditions.” She added, “Our goal is to eliminate the financial barriers that often prevent people from accessing quality eye care. Thanks to our dedicated departmental team, patients undergoing cataract surgeries will not have to bear any costs for the surgery, medications, or post-surgical essentials like lenses or glasses.”
One patient, a farmer from Buldhana who had long struggled with deteriorating vision, expressed, “When you lose your sight, you lose more than just the ability to see. This camp is giving us back our lives.”
Dr. A.K. Shukla, (Dean, MGIMS), highlighted the broader significance of the camp, noting, “The impact we are making through this initiative extends well beyond Wardha. This camp is a testament to our dedication to ensuring that no one in this region is left behind when it comes to healthcare, especially for something as essential as vision.”