Special cataract surgery campaign extended till March 9

Under the National Blindness and Visual Impairment Control Programme, a special cataract surgery campaign is being run across the state. The campaign has been extended till March 9, 2024. The programme has been conceptualised by Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Tanaji Sawant. The Public Health Department has appealed that free cataract surgeries will be conducted in government hospitals and hospitals of recognised NGOs and citizens should avail the benefit.

So that maximum patients can get the benefit of this campaign. Sawant has extended the campaign till March 9. In this campaign, cooperation of government health institutions, non-government voluntary organisations and private organisations is being taken. The Health Department has appealed to the citizens to contact toll free number 104 for this or other health related advice. The department aims to perform 1 lakh surgeries in a fortnight.

The Health Department has made a district-wise plan for conducting surgeries under this campaign and the responsibility for this has been given to the concerned health officers and employees. A special campaign 'National Netra Jyoti Abhiyan' is being run by the Central Government from June 2022.

The campaign aims to completely fill the backlog of cataract surgeries that cause blindness and SVI in people aged 50 and above. Through this campaign of the Health Department, citizens will be able to maintain their eyesight by undergoing free surgery. Under the Rashtriya Netra Jyoti Abhiyan, the target is to perform 27 lakh cataract surgeries in three years from 2022 to 2025.

The target of 112.51 percent cataract surgeries in the state has been achieved in the year 2022-23. In the financial year 2023-24, by December 2023, 67.30 percent of the total targeted cataract surgery operations have been performed. To meet the target of cataract surgery in the financial year 2023-24. A special cataract surgery campaign is being run at the district level from February 19 to March 4 2024 and the campaign has been extended till March 9.