Eastern Uttar Pradesh witnessed a healthcare breakthrough as the first mega advanced surgical eye camp wrapped up at Gorakhpur’s 12 Air Force Hospital. Spanning four days, Indian Army and Air Force medical experts successfully operated on 374 individuals, transforming their world from darkness to light.
Prominent figures graced the finale, with Air Marshal B Manikantan, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command, in attendance. The event featured detailed reviews by Surgeon Vice Admiral Aarti Sarin, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services, and Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja, Director General Medical Services (Air), highlighting the operation’s excellence.
Patients poured in from districts like Siddharthnagar, Azamgarh, Deoria, Maharajganj, and Gorakhpur’s villages, alongside visitors from Nepal, showcasing the camp’s widespread appeal. Take Amarnath Gupta, 69, from Gorakhpur—his failing eyes had dimmed family moments until this camp. Now, with restored vision, he embodies the profound impact on everyday lives.
At the helm was Brigadier (Dr.) Sanjay Kumar Mishra from Army Hospital (Research and Referral)’s Ophthalmology department, backed by Lieutenant Colonel Ravi Chauhan and Major Amrita Joshi. Advanced tools, transported via Air Force planes, enabled flawless procedures.
This camp stands as a beacon of military-civilian collaboration, proving how strategic medical missions can bridge healthcare gaps. Its ripple effects promise sustained improvements in regional eye health, inspiring similar endeavors nationwide.