The State Government has procured sophisticated machines to provide treatment to the newborns afflicted with complex eye diseases in the five Government medical colleges and the Capital Hospital.
Pre-matured and underweight babies’ arteries in the retina get enlarged abnormally. After birth, during ROP screening of the newborns in the SNCUs, doctors are able know about this disease.
For tests of the disease, a ‘Retcam machine’ costing Rs 1.5 crore and a laser machine costing Rs 1 crore are needed.
The Government under its Sunetra Yojana has provided these equipments to the Capital Hospital, SCB Medical College Hospital , VIMSAR, MKCG Medical College, Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Sahed Laxman Nayak Medical College SNCUs.
Notably, under the Sunetra Yojana the costly retina operation is being done in the Capital Hospital without any charges. In a private hospital, one has to spend Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 for it. Besides, the costly injection needed for the eyes of diabetic patients is being provided free in the Capital Hospital.