Sterlite Foundation organizes Medical Camps in the remote regions of Maharashtra

Sterlite Foundation has been working in association with organizations like the Ramakrishna Mission in the field of tribal welfare and rural development. Medical camps and cataract surgery camps have been organized at remote regions of Maharashtra.

The medical camps were held in the Mokhada Taluka of district Thane. A Scabies Elimination Program was also organized at the villages over a period of 6 months. The team of Doctors comprised of Dr. Gajanan Velhal - TN Medical College, Dr (Mrs.) Sarkar - Ramakrishna Mission, Dr.Amit Patel - TN Medical College, Mrs. Wadia - Ramakrishna Mission, Dr. Minal Patil TN Medical College, Dr. Chaitali TN Medical College, and Mr. Korade Member Z P, Thane Distrct. The team was assisted by a group of 10-15 volunteers and approximately 2150 people were treated in the camp.

Sterlite Foundation organized cataract removal surgery camps in association with Ramakrishna Mission, Nair Hospital and Prasad Chikitsa in the area as well.
Approximately 50 cases of mature cataract were treated at the medical camp. Earlier ophthalmic examination camps were held at Kundachapada and Dhamani in the Mokhada block.

A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. It can be compared to a window that is frosted or yellowed. There are many misconceptions about cataract. Cataract is not a film over the eye or caused by overusing the eyes or a cause of irreversible blindness. Common symptoms of cataract include a painless blurring of vision, glare, or light sensitivity, poor night vision, double vision in one eye, needing brighter light to read, fading or yellowing of colours. Most of the villagers being treated were not aware that they were suffering from cataract, as the amount and pattern of cloudiness within the lens can vary. If the cloudiness is not near the centre of the lens, one may not be aware that a cataract is present.

Speaking about the camp, Mr. Dipankar Mukhopadhyay, CEO, Sterlite Foundation said, "It is necessary that cataract be detected at an early stage. As the awareness about cataract is low, we found most villagers did not know about cataract and its symptoms. Conducting this medical camp along with Ramakrishna Mission will not only help early detection of cataract, but also its early treatment.”

The Foundation now plans to further its efforts in reaching out to a larger section of the tribal population in the other states as well.