A groundbreaking mega eye camp at 12 Air Force Hospital in Gorakhpur ended triumphantly, marking eastern UP’s first such advanced surgical drive. In four days, elite teams from the Indian Army and Air Force conducted 374 cataract and other eye surgeries, restoring sight and dignity to patients long plagued by vision loss.
The valedictory function was attended by top brass, including Central Air Command chief Air Marshal B Manikantan. Inspections by heavyweights like Surgeon Vice Admiral Aarti Sarin and Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja validated the camp’s high standards and logistical prowess.
Drawing crowds from rural pockets of Siddharthnagar, Azamgarh, Deoria, Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, and even Nepal, the camp became a regional lifeline. Amarnath Gupta, a 69-year-old Gorakhpur native, shared his story: decades of blurred vision stole joys like watching his grandkids play. His successful surgery symbolizes the renewal for all 374 beneficiaries.
Brigadier (Dr.) Sanjay Kumar Mishra, Ophthalmology head at Army Hospital (R&R), spearheaded the mission with support from Lt Col Ravi Chauhan and Major Amrita Joshi. World-class equipment, airlifted by IAF, powered the surgeries’ precision.
Beyond immediate relief, this initiative fosters long-term eye health awareness and access. It exemplifies the armed forces’ pivotal role in nation-building through healthcare, potentially revolutionizing treatment for underserved populations.