GUWAHATI, May 25 � The Damarapathar village under Dimoria block of Kamrup (Metro) district, has been declared as an �avoidable blindness-free village� at a function held in the Sabek Damarapathar LP School compound on May 23, a press release said.
The village is one of the 142 villages of the Sonapur area that have been adopted by Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya, Guwahati, to render free medical and surgical eye care to the villagers, impart health education and conduct surveillance through them in collaboration with the Operation Eye Sight Universal. The project began two years ago.
Ophthalmologists, ophthalmic paramedical workers and a project manager have been rendering services in these areas. The newly established Institute of Community Ophthalmology, under SSN, also serves the community.
Over 200 villagers participated in the meeting, including Ruma Das, Headmistress of the Sabek Damarapathar School, Abdul Salam, president of the Damarapathar School Committee, besides ASHA and Anganwadi workers, the release added.
Dr Harsha Bhattacharjee, Medical Director of Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya, Dr Pankaj Bhattacharyya, community ophthalmologist, and Anup Zimba, senior programme manager, Operation Eye Sight Universal, were present in the function.