On January 28th, 23 new patients received the gift of sight through cataract surgery at the Vivekanand hospital in Maharajganj, India. The recipients were the elderly of the rural villages near Varanasi – those who, because of cataracts, had lost the ability to see clearly and this was now hindering their normal day-to-day life.
On January 29th, I had the honour of seeing the patients after the surgery, with their children and family ready to take them back to their homes. Alongside the patients was the medical staff - 2 doctors and 3 assistants - who had been operating late into the night before. On this day, the medical staff and seva team distributed medicine, shawls, and food to the patients.
On January 29th, I had the honour of seeing the patients after the surgery, with their children and family ready to take them back to their homes. Alongside the patients was the medical staff - 2 doctors and 3 assistants - who had been operating late into the night before. On this day, the medical staff and seva team distributed medicine, shawls, and food to the patients.
Seeing the patients after the surgery, I was aware of all the service that led up to this point and all that still remained to be done. To provide cataract surgery to those in need in the rural population, the team first goes out into each village. With a car, loudspeaker, and pamphlets, our team notifies the entire village that an eye camp will be held, inviting those who are in need to come.
When they come, their eyesight is checked and their physical health evaluated by a doctor and if their condition is suitable for treatment and their health sound enough, they are prepared for surgery. Staying in the hospital overnight, the patients are fed and cared for, as well as undergoing the surgery and receiving specialised care. The next day, the families come and our staff distributes the medicine, and gives instructions how to care for those who have received the surgery.
The work, however, does not end there. These patients come for 2 more on-site check-ups over the next month, to ensure there is no contamination or infection. These are the tasks that the Sai Maa cataract program team undertake with love and care to ensure each eligible sight impaired villager receives the gift of sight.
When they come, their eyesight is checked and their physical health evaluated by a doctor and if their condition is suitable for treatment and their health sound enough, they are prepared for surgery. Staying in the hospital overnight, the patients are fed and cared for, as well as undergoing the surgery and receiving specialised care. The next day, the families come and our staff distributes the medicine, and gives instructions how to care for those who have received the surgery.
The work, however, does not end there. These patients come for 2 more on-site check-ups over the next month, to ensure there is no contamination or infection. These are the tasks that the Sai Maa cataract program team undertake with love and care to ensure each eligible sight impaired villager receives the gift of sight.
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