Social Services
On July 1, 2024, our institute hosted various community activities and the inaugural ceremony of our flagship program, Save Sight Save Life, addressing a specific occupational group (the traffic police department, auto/ toto drivers, rickshaw pullers and shopkeepers of Newtown area) whose occupation demands proper vision to perform their jobs seamlessly.
We are proud to acknowledge our key leaders of the program:
Their partnership has been instrumental in shaping this initiative. We launched this impactful program on this Doctors' day, and it will continue to make difference until September 2024.
On July 1st, 2024, our program "Save Sight Save Life" commenced with a grand inaugural ceremony, honored by the presence of distinguished dignitaries from the Traffic Police Department of Bidhannagar. The Inspector, Mr. Hara Sundar Satpati and Sub-Inspector, Mr. Tapas Mondal graced the occasion, officially launching our program with a curtain-raising ceremony.
They also delivered a keynote speech, sharing valuable insights and encouragement. Our Director, Dr.Shibashis Das felicitated the respected Inspector and Sub-Inspector with a stole, flower bouquet, and a memento, recognizing their efforts and support as eye care heroes. The program proceeded with comprehensive eye examinations for the Traffic Police team, and spectacles were dispensed on the spot to those who needed them, as advised by our experts. In a heartfelt gesture, the Traffic Police team showed their appreciation with chocolates and flowers, boosting the morale of our team. We were deeply pleased to have them as our guests of honor, marking a memorable start to our program.
We were also privileged to have the esteemed presence of Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Aabahamaan Kolkata, whose thoughtful gesture of attending the ceremony and inaugurating our program with a curtain-raising ceremony, added significant momentum to our initiative. Our Director felicitated them with flower bouquet for their support and encouragement. We were deeply grateful for their enthusiastic participation, as they graciously appreciated our initiative and honored our doctors with a stole, flower bouquet, and memento, commemorating Doctors' Day. Additionally, the Rotarian team underwent retina check-ups, and our professionals identified several individuals with retinal issues, providing guidance and recommendations for further treatment and care. This marked a remarkable beginning for our program, and we are truly grateful for their kind gesture.
On the same day, our team of professionals successfully conducted two comprehensive eye check-up camps at Head Quarter of General Post Office (B.B.D.Bag) and Press Club (Chowringhee) in Kolkata. The camps offered extensive eye care services, including glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy screening, spectacle dispensing by ophthalmologists and optometrists.
At Press Club Chowringhee, a significant number of members and their families benefited from the camp, with two individuals receiving spectacles on the spot and 26 others receiving prescriptions for later delivery. The camp lasted around 5-6 hours, demonstrating our commitment to providing thorough eye care. Meanwhile, at Head Quarter of General Post Office, B.B.D Bag, our team screened 116 staff members, identifying three individuals with cataract who were recommended for surgery. The camps' success highlights our dedication to delivering quality eye care services to those in need.
The inaugural ceremony spanned two days, with a notable presence of Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Salt Lake City Calcutta on 2nd July 2024, Tuesday. Their warm encouragement and support significantly boosted our morale, and we extend our sincere appreciation to them for their ongoing backing. Following a strong start, our program extended its eye care services to the members of Rotary Club Salt Lake City Calcutta, as well as family members of the Traffic Police Department in Newtown, providing comprehensive care and support to these esteemed groups. Our experts promptly provided treatment plan to those who were identified with glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy conditions.
A heartfelt gratitude to the pillars of our institute – Dr. Shibashis Das, Dr. Anuria De, Dr. Madhurima Chandra, Optom Avhijit Das (Senior Program Officer), and the entire team of Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute, Newtown for celebrating this momentous day with the community and honoring the eye care heroes who selflessly serve society. Our celebration will continue until September 2024, and we are confident that our mission will be fulfilled, building on this strong foundation. We also appreciate the unwavering support of our partners and beneficiaries, without whom this program would not have been possible.
During the first week of our program, we were delighted to welcome a significant number of 'eye care heroes' to our Newtown hospital. Our team provided comprehensive eye care services to 41-42 auto drivers and 37 members of the traffic police team. We are glad that our dedicated team has consistently delivered satisfactory services resulting in precise prescription of spectacles for several individuals and the timely identification of cataract in one auto driver who also received comprehensive treatment plan. A considerable number of traffic police team members and auto drivers received ready-made power spectacles on the spot. We are glad that we have successfully established trust in our service, as evidenced by the fact that some traffic police officers are also bringing their family members to our facility. We believe our initiative is heading in the right direction, successfully raising awareness about the importance of eyesight and empowering our community heroes to perform their duties with renewed confidence and clarity.
With renewed vision and confidence, Mrs. Hazra's zest for life was rekindled, empowering her to embrace her worth and purpose once again. As a municipality worker, her job required keen eyesight, but with age and deteriorating vision, she struggled to perform her duties. The loss of her sight not only affected her livelihood but also her self-esteem, making her dependent on her family, including her husband, two sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. Mrs. Shilpi Hazra, seeking a solution for her blurry vision, visited the Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute's vision center at Anandamoyee Ashram with great optimism. After a thorough examination, she was diagnosed with cataracts and advised to undergo surgery as soon as possible. Although she had explored other options, she found our services to be more affordable and appealing. Mrs. Hazra underwent successful cataract surgery in our hospital and regained her eyesight. She has since resumed her normal life and municipality duties without any issues.
Grateful for her restored vision, she returned to our vision center to share her testimonial and update us on her progress.
With three sons and three daughters-in-law, one might assume she had a support system in place. Yet, Mrs. Ghosh chose to utilize her tailoring skills to maintain her autonomy. Her eyes, however, lost vision due to cataract development, thus forcing her to quit her job and live a challenging life. A doctor had recommended surgery a year ago, but financial constraints and lack of family support left her with no clear solution. That was until she discovered Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute's free eye care service at Adyapeath Vision Centre. With newfound hope, she approached our team alone, seeking help. From that moment on, our institute took charge of her surgery and provided unwavering support, ensuring regular follow-ups and a smooth recovery process. On July 4, 2024, Mrs. Ghosh underwent a successful cataract surgery performed by our esteemed senior ophthalmologist, Dr. Shibasish Das. This life-changing procedure restored her vision and empowered her to reclaim her independence. All expenses related to her surgery and medications were waived, ensuring that she faced no financial burden. In her heartfelt testimony, Mrs. Ghosh expressed her profound gratitude for our support. With her vision restored, she has resumed her passion for tailoring, proudly taking charge of her life once again. Her story serves as a testament to the transformative power of our eye care services, enabling individuals to live life on their own terms.
Mrs. Dipu Roy is a resident of Ariadaha, North 24 Parganas (West Bengal). She had been struggling with eye-related issues for a long time, which significantly impacted her daily life. Initially, she was unaware of our services at her proximity, so she and her son visited other healthcare centers for her vision problems. She was diagnosed with matured cataracts in both eyes and advised to undergo surgery. However, the advanced stage of the cataracts made rectification uncertain, and Phaco surgery seemed the only solution. Unfortunately, the expense was beyond their means, leaving Mrs. Roy hopeless about regaining her normal life. Her visit to the Adyapeeth temple proved to be a turning point. She discovered our services on the temple premises and learned about the painless Phaco surgery and affordable charges. This renewed her faith in recovering her healthy life. She was reassured knowing that senior gold medalist doctors would supervise the operation.
Mrs. Roy was delighted with the information and readily agreed to undergo the Phaco Surgery. Our Dr. Shibashis Das performed the surgery at Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute, Newtown, and she was impressed with the doctor's demeanor, which alleviated her fears. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Das and the entire team for making the process smooth and easy. Post-surgery, Mrs. Roy has completely recovered and resumed her normal life. She can now perform her daily chores with ease and enjoys a healthy life with her family and friends.
We are delighted to share the news of a significant achievement in our mission to provide quality eye care services to the community. Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute proudly announces the grand opening of a new Vision Center at the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Health Center in Ward 11, under the Government of West Bengal. This marks a momentous step forward in our commitment to community service and eye health.
About the Institute
Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute, a distinguished tertiary eye hospital with over 26 years of legacy, has earned pre-accreditation from NABH. Operated by a trust, the institute runs two hospitals in Khardah and Newtown, Kolkata. We have collaborated with government bodies, signing MOUs with NPCBVI and Kolkata Municipal Corporation, to extend our reach and provide eye care services to a broader population.
New Vision Center at Ward 11
The new Vision Center at Ward 11 KMC Health Center aims to cater to the local community with primary eye care services. In addition to the existing health services offered at the Government Health Centres (Ward 11 KMC Health Centers)-General Medicine, Diabetic Clinic, Pediatric Medicine, etc. The Vision Center introduces comprehensive eye care services, making it a one-stop destination for various healthcare needs.
Services Offered
The Vision Center is staffed with skilled professionals, including optometrists and Community Health Workers. Services provided include Comprehensive Eye Exams, The Vision Centre promotes Specialized Testing, Diagnosing Refractive Error Problems Prescription Eyeglasses, Treatment of Eye Conditions and referring patients to the base hospital, Eye Surgery, Pediatric Eye Care, and Spreading awareness on eye health.
Why Choose the Vision Center at Ward 11
Our Vision Center at Ward 11 meets all criteria for comprehensive primary eye care services. With qualified staff, a range of services, and advanced technology, the center encourages the local community to prioritize regular eye exams for good vision and overall eye health.
Grand Opening Celebration
We celebrated the grand opening of our state-of-the-art Eye Care Vision Center on December 19, 2023, at 6:00 pm, located at Ward 11 KMC Health Centers, 160, Arabinda Sarani, Kolkata-700006.
Program Highlights
The program included an informative session aimed at raising awareness among health workers about primary eye care. We look forward to welcoming you to our Vision Center, marking the beginning of "Bright Vision Better Life."
Nurturing Vision for a Bright Tomorrow
"A perfect vision is a gateway to the bright Future" - a profound statement that encapsulates the essence of a child's developmental journey. The eyes, serving as the window to the world, play a pivotal role in shaping a child's understanding of their surroundings. At Eyesite, we recognize the paramount importance of ensuring a clear and healthy vision for your child's overall development.
The Foundation of Vision in Infants
From the moment of birth, a child's senses come alive with the elements of Earth, water, Fire, air, and Ether, as described in Ayurveda. These elements shape their sensory experiences, with vision being the last sense to fully mature. Approximately 80% of a child's education is delivered visually, making clear vision indispensable for their journey of exploration and learning.
Refractive errors, a common eye condition, can act as stumbling blocks in a child's developmental path. If left unaddressed, they may lead to more complex conditions like Amblyopia, affecting a child's ability to see clearly at various distances.
Vision's Role in Early Sensory Development
During the first few months of a baby's life, vision becomes a crucial tool for perception. Babies respond to visual stimuli, distinguishing between darkness and light, tracking moving objects, and developing depth perception. Clear and healthy vision during this critical period lays the foundation for cognitive and motor skills, paving the way for a successful developmental journey.
"Through their curious eyes, infants embark on a journey of discovery, exploring a world painted in vivid hues and shapes, laying the foundation for a lifetime of wonders."
Milestones in Visual Development
Understanding the milestones in visual development is essential. Milestones such as eye contact, motor function awareness, recognition of faces, and form perception are crucial in the first year of a child's life. These milestones contribute to the formation of a solid foundation for communication, motor skills, and spatial awareness.
(Reference: National Center for Biotechnology Information)
Special Eye Screening Program for Differently Abled Children
Why the Special Screening Program?
Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute, with 26 years in the field of eye health, has always been committed to social causes. The Twinkle Star Welfare Trust's request to organize a special eye screening camp for differently-abled children aligns perfectly with the institute's mission.
The screening camp, held on Children's Day, addresses the unique vision challenges faced by differently-abled children. These children, often dealing with vision problems, require regular check-ups to ensure proper development and to meet the challenges of daily life.
Executive Summary of the Eye Screening Program
The report outlines the implementation and impact of a Special Eye Screening Program for children with special needs. Recognizing the barriers these children face in accessing quality eye care, the program aims to identify and address visual impairments early on, enhancing overall well-being and developmental outcomes.
Program Objectives
Program Components
Program Results
Challenges and Lessons Learned
The diversity of special needs highlighted the importance of tailored approaches. Ongoing training for healthcare professionals in this area is crucial.
Conclusion:
The Special Eye Screening Program for Children with Special Needs has proven effective in identifying and addressing visual impairments in this vulnerable population. Ongoing efforts and adaptations will be crucial to expanding the program's reach and ensuring its continued success in enhancing the overall well-being of children with special needs - "Building a bridge to ensure a colorful future."
All the happy faces after they have received the Post Eye Screening Program for Differently Abled Children
at that place.
Session - P1
This year World Sight Day falls on 12th October, 2023. In 2023, the World Sight Day Theme is “Love your eyes at work”, a global call to all corporate leaders to prioritize their worker's eye health and understand the importance of vision at the workplace. This year, on the 12th of October, 2023, the global community will once again come together to celebrate World Sight Day. This annual event is a significant occasion dedicated to promoting eye health awareness and preventing avoidable blindness worldwide. Each year, World Sight Day focuses on a specific theme, and for 2023, the theme is "Love your eyes at work."
Maintaining good vision in the workplace is of utmost importance, as it places a high priority on the well-being of workers. Having healthy eyes not only enhances your work commitments but also serves as a powerful motivator, enabling you to consistently deliver your best work on time.
Love Your Eyes at Work!
"Love your eyes at work" serves as a compelling global call to action, urging corporate leaders and employers to prioritize their workers' eye health and emphasize the critical role of vision in the workplace. This theme highlights the essential relationship between good vision and workplace productivity, safety, and overall well-being.
Essentiality To Get Your Eyes Checked:
In today's fast-paced and technology-driven world, the demands on our eyes are greater than ever. All our work evolves around Computer screens and our eyes are just stuck to the computer screens. From staring at computer screens for extended hours to working in challenging environmental conditions, eye health is a paramount concern for all employees. The theme underscores the idea that ensuring a good vision isnot just an individual responsibility but a collective one, with employers playing a crucial role in this endeavor.
World Sight Day Evolves Different Activities:
World Sight Day 2023 will be a platform for various activities and initiatives aimed at raising awareness, educating the corporate world about the significance of eye health, and facilitating eye care access for workers. Companies and organizations around the globe are encouraged to participate by organizing eye screenings, organizing awareness campaigns, and implementing eye-friendly workplace practices in the workspace.
By highlighting the importance of "Love your eyes at work," World Sight Day 2023 encourages a proactive approach to protecting and enhancing the vision of the global workforce. This theme recognizes that prioritizing eye health at work benefits not only individual employees but also the companies they work for, ultimately leading to a more productive and healthier workforce. Therefore, maintaining a balanced and healthy productive atmosphere at the workplace is ensured and secured.
Every Employee's Eyes Got Checked:
In the spirit of World Sight Day 2023, Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute (Kolkata- West Bengal) has taken a proactive approach to ensure the well-being of its employees' vision. They have made it a requirement for all employees to undergo eye examinations and have provided comprehensive guidance on maintaining healthy eyes.
In our organization keeping in with the theme ofWorld Sight Day, 2023 a special eye screening was arranged for all the employees. The employees' eyes were checked and they were guided on how to maintain better vision and safety measures on how to keep their eyes healthy. In our organization, comprising a total of approximately 15 employees, each individual has undergone comprehensive eye examinations. During these check-ups, they received detailed guidance on maintaining both healthy vision and overall well-being. Additionally, the attending doctor prescribed the necessary medications and provided instructions to ensure that they followed the necessary guidelines for maintaining healthy vision.
As we approach World Sight Day on October 12, 2023, we anticipate a heightened awareness of the importance of good vision in the workplace and a collective effort to ensure that eye health is a top priority. Through education, advocacy, and action, we can work together to create a world where every worker enjoys the benefits of healthy eyes and a brighter future.
Session - P2
Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute (Kolkata- West Bengal), in collaboration with the local Ward Councillor from Raja Bazar, came together to commemorate World Sight Day with the community, organizing a special event.
Date: [12.10.2023] | Location: [Raja Bazar KMC Health Center, Ward 28-Specially a Muslim Community Belt]
Introduction:
World Sight Day is a globally recognized event dedicated to raising awareness about eye health and the importance of preventing avoidable blindness. It provides an excellent platform for organizations, eye care professionals, and communities to come together to highlight the significance of vision and to address eye health issues. In celebration of World Sight Day, an Eye Screening Program was organized at Raja Bazar KMC Health Center, Ward 28, especially for the people of the Muslim community. This report provides an overview of the event, its objectives, activities, and outcomes.
Objectives:
The primary objectives of the Eye Screening Program on World Sight Day were as follows:
Activities:
The Eye Screening Program featured a range of activities aimed at achieving the program's objectives:
Outcomes:
The Eye Screening Program on World Sight Day achieved several positive outcomes:
Major Outcomes:
Conclusion:
The Eye Screening Program organized in celebration of World Sight Day was a resounding success, achieving its objectives of raising awareness, offering free screenings, and providing education on eye health. This event not only had a positive impact on the lives of those who received screenings and eyeglasses but also contributed to the broader goal of preventing avoidable blindness and promoting eye health. As a result, it serves as a shining example of the potential for positive change that can be brought about through community involvement and awareness initiatives.
All the happy faces after they have received the Cataract Surgery Treatment. The Patients who were diagnosed with cataracts on the screening camp organized on 12th October '23 (Thursday) received free surgery treatment
at Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute on 15th October '23.
A brief note on Doctor's Day - In India, Doctor's Day is celebrated on July 1st every year. This date holds special significance as it marks the birth and death anniversary of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, who was a renowned physician and the second Chief Minister of West Bengal. Doctor's Day in India is observed to honour the contributions and selfless service of doctors in the country. It is a day to express gratitude and recognize the tireless efforts of doctors in improving healthcare, saving lives, and promoting well-being. The day also serves as a reminder of the importance of the medical profession and the impact it has on individuals and society as a whole.
Speech Delivered by Dr. Shibashis Das - On the day, in the morning Dr. Shibashis Das from Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute attended the program organized by the Rotary Club of Saltlake City, Calcutta. He delivered a knowledgeable speech on Diabetic Retinopathy and enlightened people on the effect of diabetes disease on eye health, and its preventable method, and aware people on Glaucoma and on advanced technology of cataract surgery.
Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute Celebrated Doctor's Day
This year Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute has come up with the idea of celebrating Doctor's Day in a different way. 1st July 2023 -Saturday (from 2.00 pm till 6.00 pm) Celebrating Doctor's Day in a unique way by organizing the comprehensive eye check-up program for the Rotary Club of Saltlake Metropolitan, club members, and their family members and friends too. Rotary has always been a flag bearer and leader in the field of philanthropic activities. Rotary Club of Aabahamaan Kolkata in association with Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute has come up with an innovative concept of celebrating Doctor's Day where the day has been celebrated by creating awareness about some silent deadly diseases that can take away your vision without any symptoms. Not only restricting the scope to awareness but also practically screening every Rotarian on that day. Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute -Newtown in association with the Rotary Club of Aabahamaan Kolkata has come up with the vision to ignite new light and new hope- we are going to organize an eye check-up camp which will include thorough RETINA check-up for Rotarians and their family members, and also friends, especially for those who are suffering from Diabetics and aged above 40 years. We are aiming for better eye health and better vision.
It is observed that in every family there is at least 1 member who suffers from a Diabetic condition but is unaware of the deadly effect on ocular health due to the diabetic condition. It is thus very important to raise awareness regarding ocular health that can be vigorously affected by diabetic conditions. Therefore, Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute has come up with the innovative idea of comprehensive eye check-ups through advanced technology machinery at the hospital premises. The presence of the Rotarians and their family members and friends will be extremely important to us.
Make your life beautiful by taking care of your eyes because life without eyes is filled with darkness, which is why it's so crucial to raise knowledge of eye care among the local populace. With this objective in mind, the West Bengal Government has developed a creative program to increase community members' knowledge of the need for eye care, and Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute has partnered with the government on this fantastic project.
Raising Awareness at the Community Level
Sankara Jyoti works with the vision to build a sensitization program at the community level to generate awareness about eye care among the local population especially focusing on Cataracts and Diabetic Retinopathy. Thus, to build up the vision the organization has initiated to work with the community stakeholders to reach the root level in the community.
The collaborative effort between the Government of West Bengal and Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute to raise awareness of eye care through a hands-on training program is truly commendable. This initiative reflects a genuine concern for the well-being of the community and emphasizes the importance of vision care. As because lack of awareness generation can cause a halt in providing the service at the community level.
By organizing this training program, the objective of sensitizing community health workers, such as ASHA, ANM, CHO, and other non-doctor health workers, on vision care is being fulfilled. Equipping these individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to detect eye problems, conduct counselling sessions, and follow up with patients is a significant step toward ensuring early detection and timely intervention.
The training program's focus on detecting refractive errors at the community level is particularly noteworthy. Refractive errors, such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, are common vision problems that can often be easily corrected with the use of glasses or contact lenses. By identifying and addressing these issues promptly, community health workers can positively impact the lives of many individuals who may otherwise have limited access to eye care services.
Area Covered - A total of 06 Blocks have been covered through the training program - 02 blocks under South 24 Parganas are Jaynagar-l & Il, 02 Blocks under Diamond Harbour HD are Diamond Harbour-l & Il, and 02 blocks under North 24 Parganas are Habra-I and Il, Deganga and Basirhat I.