English | Français
Sai Maa Humanitarian
  • Home
  • About
  • News
  • Projects
    • Cataract Surgery
    • Feeding Program
    • Women's Empowerment
    • Ashram
    • Past Projects >
      • Ayodhya
      • Flood Relief
      • Haiti Project
      • Margh Mehla
      • Vitamin Angels
      • Warm Winter
  • Donate

Cataract surgery program : 24 Patients treated

1/11/2014

 
The Sai Maa Cataract program is in full swing in Uttar Pradesh, the largest state in India. 
Picture
 This week I am attending the Eye Camp program in which the cataract screening process takes place.  It is being held at the Vivekanand Mission Hospital in Bhadohi, Saint Ravidas Nagar about 17 kilometers outside of Varanasi.  On Friday, the hospital ambulance toured the 120 km (75 miles) of back roads canvassing the local villages, announcing the program via loud speakers mounted on the roof of the vehicle.  Today, what attracts the many villagers is not only the opportunity to qualify for a cataract surgery, but also the opportunity for free eye treatments.  With the eye exams they are given medicines and education pertaining to their ailment. 
This is a particularly busy weekend.  There are around 200 villagers in attendance whereas the average is usually around 120-150 per camp.  From that, the ophthalmologists usually identify 20 candidates for the cataract surgery.   Today, 24 people are eligible.  

Due to the ophthalmologists schedule this weekend, the eye camp is combined with the surgeries.  The staff and technicians finish the camp around 3 pm and the doctors begin the operations at 4 pm, finishing around 10 pm in the night.  Dinner is ready for them as they finish.  Then they are driven back to Varanasi, where they reach their homes around midnight.  This service was their Saturday.

Before the villagers leave, each is given a photo of Mataji and a packet of biscuits. What I love about India is that no one ever leaves a program without a material exchange reflecting the giving of one heart to another.  It is a gift to be a part of this beautiful process.


Comments are closed.

    Latest news

    Get the latest information on Sai Maa's humanitarian projects.

    Archives

    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013

    Categories

    All
    Cataract Surgery Program
    Ceremonies
    Flood Relief
    General
    Just One
    Women's Empowerment

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.