The Sai Maa Eye Cataract Surgery program is being held in Birawan district of Varanasi, near the Benares Hindu University. This eye camp is held over 2 days and both are hosted at the offices of Dr. Richa Srivastava, a cataract and refractive surgeon. For several years now, Dr. Srivastava has donated her offices and services to the Sai Maa Cataract Surgery program.
On Friday, February 7th, the camp is held in the morning and early afternoon. Today there is no promotion throughout the villages via loudspeakers. This camp is for those who have already been through the program, but have yet to have their operation. More that 54 people arrive hoping to receive their surgery. Their vital statistics are re-checked to ensure they still qualify for the surgery. Many have been monitored by the doctors for several weeks checking whether their condition has stabilized or improved. 18 of these applicants are selected for this round of surgeries.
On Friday, February 7th, the camp is held in the morning and early afternoon. Today there is no promotion throughout the villages via loudspeakers. This camp is for those who have already been through the program, but have yet to have their operation. More that 54 people arrive hoping to receive their surgery. Their vital statistics are re-checked to ensure they still qualify for the surgery. Many have been monitored by the doctors for several weeks checking whether their condition has stabilized or improved. 18 of these applicants are selected for this round of surgeries.
On Saturday, February 8, Dr. Srivastava starts the operations at 10am in the morning. Of the 18 chosen yesterday, 17 have the operations. The doctor is able to perform all 17 operations in little more than 4 hours. This is quite a feat considering all of these patients are elderly, and many seem to walk around in a state of shock. All the surgeries are successful.
This eye surgery is a traumatic procedure for most of these villagers and this is never an easy thing. Most are in a state of hushed, protective, inner silence. However, later at the villages, the enthusiasm of those whose gratitude is overflowing is so clear as they chant “Sai Maa Ki Jai, Sai Maa Ki Jai”: "Victory to Sai Maa"!
This eye surgery is a traumatic procedure for most of these villagers and this is never an easy thing. Most are in a state of hushed, protective, inner silence. However, later at the villages, the enthusiasm of those whose gratitude is overflowing is so clear as they chant “Sai Maa Ki Jai, Sai Maa Ki Jai”: "Victory to Sai Maa"!
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