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PROJECT NETRA DRISHTI
(EYECARE INITIATIVE)
 The environmental and climatic conditions of
the Thar Desert has very adverse effect on eyesight. The dust and
ultra violet rays combined with malnutrition especially absence of
Vitamin A, very adversely effects the eyesight. The situation is
further aggravated by absence of medical facilities and lack of
awareness. Among the people of the Thar the main cause of
blindness is uncorrected refractory errors.
Dr. S. Shivananda Chairman Stitching Shared
Vision of Netherlands, during his visit to his native village in
Marwar Desert having seen poor condition of people of his homeland
felt aggrieved and decided to do something for the poor and needy.
He approached His Highness Maharaja Gajsinghji and mooted the idea
of establishing a Mobile Refraction Clinic. Thus started an
association between His Highness Maharaja Hanwant Singhji
Charitable Trust and the Stitching Shared Vision. It was decided
to organise eye camps in rural areas. For this a tripartite
agreement was signed between Stitching Shared Vision , His
Highness Maharaja Hanwant Singh and Tara Bai Desai Eye Hospital
and Research Center for one year. Under this agreement, following
eye camps were organised during April 2004 to Jan., 2006 :-
|
Date |
Village |
Screening |
Spectacles Given |
Free Medicines
given to person
|
Cataract
operations done |
Expenditure |
|
9.04.04 |
Belwa
(P. Balesar) |
456 |
146 |
242 |
68 |
107440/- |
|
6.11.04 |
Masooriya (Jodhpur) |
160 |
70 |
90 |
35 |
57427/- |
|
25.11.04 |
Pachpadara (Barmer) |
467 |
148 |
210 |
72 |
144332/- |
|
4.11.05 |
Chamu (P.S.Osiyan) |
1236 |
372 |
146 |
104 |
2,30,842/- |
|
26.1.06
and 27.1.06
|
Belwa
(P.S.Balesar) |
1005 |
708 |
- |
- |
59990/- |
|
|
Total |
3,324 |
1,444 |
688 |
279 |
600,031 |
 Based on experience gained, after some deliberations, a fresh agreement was signed between Dr. S. Shivananda, the Chairman of Stitching Shared Vision and Brig. Shakti Singh General Manager of His Highness Maharaja Hanwant Singh Charitable Trust on 18th July 2006 to launch Project Netra Drishti. An Advisory Council as under was constituted to plan, guide and monitor the project activities:-* His Highness Maharaja Gajsinghji - Chairman
* Dr. S. Shivananda - Member
* Brig. Shakti Singh Ji - Member
It was agreed that Stitching Shared Vision will be the Funding Agency and His Highness Maharaja Hanwant Singhji Chaitible Trust, the implementing Agency. It was decided to start a Mobile Refraction Clinic, which will be an outreach programme geared to provide comprehensive eye care services to the villages of Jodhpur District. The Project Netra Drishti aims at correcting refractory disorders and giving new eye glasses, cataract surgery and transplant of IOLs and treatment of other eye problems. All these services are free of charge to the patients.
Since signing of the agreement, the following eye camps have been held :-
|
Date |
Village |
Screened |
Spectacles given |
Cataract
operation done |
Expenditure |
|
17.04.06 |
Dewatu
(Balesar)
|
641 |
543 |
20 |
50,859/- |
|
29.05.06 |
Judiya
(Balesar)
|
519 |
454 |
13 |
40,647/- |
|
23.06.06 |
Bala Sati Ji(Belara)
|
758 |
626 |
16 |
56,672/- |
|
21.07.06 |
Gaj Singh Pura
(Bhopalgarh)
|
730 |
567 |
21 |
50,396/- |
|
20.08.06 |
Bapini
(Ossiya)
|
719 |
525 |
24 |
46,248/- |
|
27.09.06 |
Sambadiya
(Belara)
|
815 |
613 |
07 |
53,933/- |
|
|
Total |
4182 |
3328 |
101 |
2,98,755/- |
All cataract operations were carried out at Tara Bai Desai Eye Hospital and Research Center at Jodhpur. The Trust has planned one eye camp every month, which is being organised at remote locations, where no other NGO has organised such camps.
These camps have been a great success and there is a growing demand for such assistance. The initial agreement has been signed for one year which may be extended with mutual consent.
This initiative is fructification of the feeling of a son of the soil for his brethren who are deprived of modern facilities. We gratefully acknowledge his support.
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