Eye Care Upgrade: ₹8.85 Crore Investment to Supply Advanced Cataract Machines

Gujarat is set to boost its public eye‑care infrastructure with a fresh infusion of over ₹8.85 crore earmarked for 18 new phacoemulsification units. The decision, approved by Health Minister Prof. Prabhull Panjshere, will see the equipment placed in a mix of state hospitals and medical colleges across the state.

The rollout targets Ahmedabad, Surat, Bhavnagar, Vadodara, Jamnagar, Morbi, Gandhinagar, Vadnagar and Himatnagar. By spreading the devices across both urban hubs and smaller districts, the government hopes to make premium cataract surgery accessible to all layers of society at no cost.

Allocation details include seven machines for Ahmedabad's M & J Institute of Ophthalmology, two for the government medical college in Bhavnagar, two for Morbi's GMRS Hospital, and a single unit for each of Surat's New Civil Hospital, Old Civil Hospital, Jamnagar's G G General Hospital, Vadodara's ESIC General Hospital, and the GMERS facilities in Gandhinagar, Vadnagar and Himatnagar.

Each phacoemulsification system integrates ultrasonic energy, vacuum suction and fluid flow control, allowing surgeons to emulsify the cataract lens and extract it with high accuracy. The hand‑piece is equipped with an elliptical motion feature and a peristaltic pump system that safely removes lens debris through a suction tip. Surgeons can modulate ultrasound intensity, vacuum pressure and fluid dynamics via a foot‑pedal during the operation.

The technology also features Chamber Stabilisation Environment (CACE) to keep intra‑ocular pressure steady, reducing the hazard of post‑occlusive surge. Heat generation at the incision site is limited, minimizing corneal edema and other postoperative risks, which translates into faster visual recovery for patients.

Overall, the initiative reflects Gujarat's strategic push to reinforce ophthalmic services in the public system, ensuring that free, world‑class cataract surgery becomes a reality for its residents.