Inspiring denizens to donate eyes and with the motto to eradicate blindness, IPS Officers’ Wives Association, Jharkhand (IPSOWA) in collaboration with Kashyap Memorial Eye Hospital, Traffic Police Ranchi and Women Doctors’ wing of IMA Jharkhand commenced the 31st National Eye Donation Fortnight campaign on Wednesday. IPSOWA members as also some women auto drivers pledged to donate their eyes to encourage more people to take this noble initiative ahead.
Kicking off the fortnight, Kashyap Memorial Eye Hospital also organised a two-day free eye check-up camp. Founder and Director of Kashyap Memorial Eye Hospital Dr Bharti Kashyap said that a total of 204 eye check-ups were done on first day. A total of 123 people including army personnel, women auto drivers and IPSOWA members pledged to donate their eyes during the camp on Wednesday.
Taking the plan ahead, a massive health awareness drive will be conducted across the State capital from Thursday to September 8. Traffic police and other associations too have demarcated major itineraries, where posters will be put up to inspire people. This apart, eye donation card will be made available at six police stations including 31 PCR vans. Posters will be put up on Green and Pink autos too to shatter all myths and misconception regarding eye donation.
On August 28, old airport terminal will be opened for public. The traffic police Ranchi will conduct health check up camps there and other recreational activities too will be carried out. Students of major educational institutions will be roped in to spread awareness about eye donation.
“The old airport terminal will be opened for public. Airport Authority of India (AAI) has given the consent. Beside, conducting camps under expert supervisions, it has been decided to open the airport for the family members of auto-rickshaw drivers, to make them familiar with airport norms on that specific day. Since the area is big, the space can be utilised for different other purposes also. As many as 300 people have been targeted in the first phase for this cause,” said, Traffic SP, Sanjay Ranjan Singh present on the occasion.
IPSOWA president Poonam Pandey added, “This is yet another attempt to support one social cause. Public must know about eye donation, all support and assistance will be provided from IPSOWA to the other groups too who join hands for this initiative which is in public interest.”