Free Cataract Surgery Screening Camp specifically for Senior Citizens aged 60 and above was organised at the Old Age Home in Boomtar, Namchi, June 19, 2025.
The camp was facilitated by the Women, Child, Senior Citizens & Divyangjan Welfare Department (WCSC&DWD) in collaboration with the Health & Family Welfare Department and Greater Lions Eye Hospital, Siliguri, under the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY).
The camp was solely organised to target and identify in regards to cataract, glaucoma and other ocular vulnerabilities which further required treatments and therapies, where all the finances and fees for the procurement of medications and surgeries (in major cases) are borne by the WCSC&DWD.
The District Collector Namchi Ms Anupa Tamling, who attended the event as the chief guest expressed her sincere gratitude to the Women, Child, Senior Citizens & Divyangjan Welfare Department, the Health & Family Welfare Department, and the Greater Lions Eye Hospital, Siliguri, for organizing a Free Cataract Screening Camp for Senior Citizens under the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana.
She underscored the camp as a valuable opportunity and urged all attendees to cooperate fully with the medical team during their process and to carefully follow their prescribed instructions.
She also personally interacted with the senior citizens, and enquired about their general health and raised awareness about other relevant matters such as Aadhaar card updates and Age Cards.
Furthermore, she highlighted the provisions of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. She emphasized that this law places a legal duty on children and relatives to financially support parents who are unable to support themselves. The Act also facilitates the creation of old age homes and safeguards senior citizens’ welfare.
She informed that any senior citizen facing neglect or related issues to submit a formal complaint letter to the office of District Collector or the relevant department.
It maybe mentioned here that a total of 134 senior citizens underwent screening , where most of the senior were identified to be in need of cataract surgeries, and others found to be combordities patients having some form of diabetes and hypertension. Aling with the screening, IEC materials related to cataract, glaucoma and other ocular vulnerabilities, and free spectacles and required medicines were also distributed.
Inaddition, the senior citizens who were found to be in requirement of treatment through surgeries were provided with referal papers to Greater Lions Eye Hospital, Siliguri, where they shall undergo surgeries for ocular ministrations.
Present during the camp were, SDM (HQ) Mr Nim Pintso Bhutia, SWO Namchi Mr Shyam S Pradhan, General Secretary Drishti NGO Mr Passang Tshering Bhutia, CDPO Namchi Mr LuxmanTamang, Welfare Inspector SWD Mr Sonam Dadul Bhutia, Social Welfare Inspectors, staff of WCSC&DWD, doctors and technicians of Greater Lions Eye Hospital Siliguri and participants.
Report from DIO Namchi
