Eye Donation Awareness Programme at BH-3, PU

Chandigarh, August 31, 2021: The Boys Hostel No. 3, Panjab University Chandigarh in collaboration with Eye Bank, Ophthalmology Department, Govt. Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh organized an Eye Donation Awareness Program on the occasion of 36th National Eye Donation Fortnight.

Dr. Sudesh Kumar Arya, Prof. and Eye Bank Incharge, GMCH-32 delivered a lecture elaborating the aims and objectives of such awareness programs to aware public about the need and importance of eye donations and to motivate people to pledge their eyes for donation after death and serve humanity even after one is not present physically.  By donating eyes after death, a corneal blind person can be able to see through a surgical procedure, wherein the damaged cornea is replaced by a healthy cornea from an eye donor. He sensitized the audience about the thresholds of blindness in India and how certain myths and superstitions act as barriers in Eye Donation and informed that Sri Lanka (a small country vis a vis India) exports corneas to other countries. He urged people to abandon their religious myths and should come forward for eye donations.Dr. Sudesh Arya responded to all the queries of audiences and two hostel residents having visual impairment participated and interacted with the speaker. Prof. Arya informed that anyone from the general public can contact GMCH Eye Bank Helpline Number 9814821212, for any queries related to eye donation and cornea transplantation.

Prof. S. K Tomar, Dean Student Welfare highlighted the importance of eye donation to provide the life of light to blind people and appeal the masses to come forward for this noble cause to serve humanity.

The warden of hostel, Dr. J.S. Sehrawat, explained the importance of such awareness programs and appreciated the initiatives and efforts of Eye Bank. Dr. Sehrawat promised to contribute in this humanitarian cause by extending all sorts of support from Panjab University, Chandigarh and requested the participants to pledge for eye donation.