Kashyap Eye Memorial Hospital in association with Rani Children Hospital launched the drive ‘Roshni’ on Tuesday. The drive targets pre-mature babies and provides free check-ups, including free laser surgeries to such kids with retina disorder.

The goal of ‘Abhiyaan Roshni’ is to identify the preterm infants at risk of Retinopathy of Pre-mature (ROP) and to provide free laser and intra vitreal injection treatment to them.

Notably, out of approximately 26 million annual live births in India, as many as two million newborns are at risk for developing ROP. Timely screening and treatment of ROP can prevent blindness and minimise visual handicaps.

The drive was launched by Health Minister of Jharkhand Ramchandra Chandravanshi along with Mayor Asha lakra and Deputy Mayor Sanjeev Vijaywargia. “The state government will provide assistance to hospital for taking this nobel initiative ahead. In order to create awareness among people, all measures will be adopted. Doctors from this hospital will also attend RIMS at a regular interval,” the Health Minister said.

Supporting the initiative, the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor assured to organize check up camps at all the 55 wards of state capital to detect such cases and to address the problem with immediate effect.

“If check-up camps are organized on regular basis covering all the wards, the initiative will be successful. This is one major step to create awareness among people about ROP,” said the Mayor.

Notably, below poverty line pre mature babies will be operated for free of cost. “We have collaborated with children hospitals in the capital city, including few child care specialists to reach maximum people. Through 532 Green laser techniques kids are being treated.