Eye Camp for Patients from Pakur

As a follow up of the Health Camp organized in the Pakur District of Jharkhand, the first batch of 29 patients was brought to Kolkata for advanced medical support. Aged between 65 and 85, 13 had advanced cataracts on both eyes while the rest had single eye afflictions which were operated by the surgeons of the Priyamvada Birla Aravind Eye Hospital.

Kalpana Behera, a fifteen year old orphan who had lost both her parents to Maoist insurgency will have her cornea replaced and will get her vision back thanks to the Carmelite Sisters of St. Teresa who have given her sanctuary and her brothers and sisters of the SXCCAA.

“We can see now” the ecstatic and somewhat bewildered expressions of joy greeted Rev. Fr. Dr. J. Felix Raj, SJ, when he visited the patients and blessed the in the hospital. “This is work of God” said Rev. Fr. Raj “and it must continue” urging the members of the Alumni to concentrate more on such noble causes.

The patients have since gone back home with a new vision thanks largely to the eldest of the group the 83 year old Lal Murmu, who was the first to accept our offer to have her cataracts operated. It was she who encouraged the others to join her for the treatment.

“We have also been approached for the treatment of a 15 year old girl who suffers from neurological problems which has robbed her of the ability to move. Her CT scan reports have already been shown to Xaverian, Dr. Sandip Chatterjee, a noted neurological surgeon who has promised to operate on her free of cost and is confident that she will recover shortly” said Mr. Yogesh Chopra, convener philanthropic activities, SXCCAA.

The next batch of 20 patients will be coming to Kolkata on the 30^th of this month for their operations. Members willing to participate, make donations or give time are requested to meet the convener.