The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 80% of visual impairment is either preventable or curable with treatment.
Every year in Thane &Palghar districts, approx. 65000 villagers get Cataract and only 28000 get treated by various NGO’s including Bhaktivedanta Hospital. Thus there is a huge backlog of unmet Cataract surgeries per year.If identified and operated for cataract, they get their eye sight back and become independent in living.
In the year 2017-18, we screened 59015 villagers from Thane &Palghar districts and performed 8583 Cataract surgeries free of cost.
ChaityaSakhyaParhed is 60 years old. He is from Raipur Awarpada in Talasari. He comes from a poor family background. He stays with his wife and 2 sons who are married. Both of his sons are engaged in farming activities and earn meagre income to support the family.
Chaityaexpressed, “From last 3 months, I was unable to see clearly. I was not able to identify the people and objects from long distance. I came to know about the free eye check-up camp from the public announcement system. At the camp-site, the doctor examined my eye and said that I was having cataract in my left eye and they will operate me free of cost. My happiness knew no ends! I was later brought to Bhaktivedanta Hospital and was successfully operated. Today I have tried looking outside the hospital window and I have realized now that everything looks very clear. My heart-felt wishes to all who have supported me. Thankyou!”.