Itanagar: In a significant stride towards combating cataract-related blindness, the department of health services in Naharlagun has launched a robust cataract screening campaign in the Tirap and Longding districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
Spearheaded by Dr Talam Har Neelam, an adept optometrist-cum-cataract screening expert, the initiative has overcome financial challenges to make commendable progress.
The team of 14 dedicated healthcare warriors, organized into two divisions, initiated screenings across various villages bordering Indo-Myanmar and Nagaland.
The campaign, which kicked off on November 17 at Longding and November 18 at Khonsa, was aimed at addressing the prevalent issue of cataract-induced blindness in the region.
Despite facing constraints in financial resources, each team member, acknowledging their vital role, receives a modest honorarium of Rs 5000 per district.
Undeterred by these limitations, the healthcare warriors are resolute in adhering to their scheduled screening campaign.
The cataract surgeries are now scheduled for November 28 which will be carried out by Dr Yangki Tatin, an ophthalmologist from Yingkiong district hospital and Dr Anupam from Namsai. Joining them are expert surgeons, Dr T Kaye and Dr Tayeng, both seasoned ophthalmologists.
The district medical officers (DMOs) of Tirap and Longding have diligently organized logistics for ‘The Sights Savers,’ the collective term for the visiting healthcare warriors.
Dr Taba Khanna, the state programme officer of the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCB & VI) is personally overseeing the entire programme.
Dubbed as Cataract Blindness & Backlog Free Campaign (CBBF) or PM Netra Jyoti Abhiyan, the campaign has already identified close to 300 operable cataract patients in various villages.
The tireless dedication of healthcare warriors in Arunachal reflects their unwavering commitment to eradicating preventable blindness and ensuring a brighter future for the region’s residents.
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