Eye Camp in Kanchrapara (At Familia School Premises)
Date: 30th June 2019(Sunday)
Time: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
An Initiative of Lodge Kathmandu of Nepal No. 8194 EC and District Grand Lodge of Bengal
Organised by Nirdhan Development & Microfinance
And Conducted in Association with:
Eye Foundation and Research Centre (EFRC)
On Sunday, 30th June 2019, Nirdhan Development and Microfinance, in association with Lodge Kathmandu of Nepal No. 8194 EC and District Grand Lodge of Bengal co-ordinated and organised an Eye Camp pop-up clinic for the community of Kanchrapara. This camp was conducted by a team of 10 doctors and optometrists headed by Dr. Debashis Das from Eye Foundation and Research Centre (EFRC) who were extremely kind and dedicated towards this service for the community on a probono basis.
The first of hopefully many such events, the Eye Camp ran efficiently and effectively, with 145 patients seen in only 6 hours including 45 minutes of lunch break.
Kindly hosted at Familia School premises, the Eye Camp provided the local community especially the elderly with the opportunity to register with the clinic and get their eyes examined and tested for only Rs. 10/- per person. For those who required spectacles, these were provided to the patient for Rs. 100/- per pair. The small fee was aimed to provide a sense of ownership and responsibility for the patients to look after their spectacles and their eyesight.
Nirdhan organised the Camp arrangement of 2 adjacent rooms (including 1 dark room for optimal testing) as well as the facilities needed for the efficient running of the clinic. Nirdhan additionally mobilised the community and advertised the event, distributed leaflets, leading to the 145 keen turnouts. In association with Lodge Kathmandu of Nepal and District Grand Lodge of Bengal, Nirdhan organised and EFRC conducted the event to make the Eye Camp possible and successful.
EFRC provided excellent technical support, conducting optical testing and preparing spectacles. They will also be performing surgeries in special cases free of cost and hence coordinating with Nirdhan for the follow-up treatment for identified cataract patients.
The Eye Camp was a success for all parties and we thank Lodge Kathmandu of Nepal, District Grand Lodge of Bengal, EFRC, and Familia School for their excellent contribution to change Nirdhan strives for in rural India.