SENAPATI: A special cataract screening drive for elderly citizens was conducted across several health centres in Senapati district under the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), an initiative of the Social Welfare Department Manipur in collaboration with the District Health Society Senapati.
According to officials, a total of 963 patients were screened during the drive, out of which 78 cataract cases were detected.
At Willong, Sub-Health Centre, 84 patients were screened, with eight diagnosed with cataract. At Sub-District Hospital Mao, 209 people were screened and 18 cataract cases were detected. Paomata Primary Health Centre registered 246 patients, among whom 19 were found to have cataract. Meanwhile, 186 patients were screened at Phaibung Primary Health Centre, where 12 cataract cases were identified. At Oinam Primary Health Centre, 238 were screened with 21 cases detected for Cataract
Dr. Ngaokhaini Hippolytus Halouni, MO in charge, Oinam Hill Primary Health Centre, said the main objective of the camp is to screen elderly people above the age of 50 and identify cataract cases early so that they can be scheduled for surgery at the district headquarters.
He also noted that cataract is commonly associated with ageing and, if left untreated, can lead to blindness. However, he assured that cataract surgery is a safe procedure and that the screening, medicines, vision aids, and surgeries under the programme are being provided free of cost, including transportation and food for beneficiaries.
Dr. Mingwatrin Rayam of Senapati District Hospital, District Nodal Officer under the National Programme for Control of Blindness, said cataract remains one of the most common preventable causes of blindness in India. She added that early diagnosis and timely surgery can prevent vision loss, and urged people not to fear the procedure as it is simple, safe, and usually completed within a few minutes.
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The initiative also received support from the district administration, with Panii Ngaonii, Sub-Divisional Collector Senapati, assisting in coordination for the successful conduct of the camps. The screening drive was conducted by a team comprising optometrists, the Medical Officer incharge, staff of the respective Primary Health Centres, ASHA facilitators, and officials from the NPCB & VI programme in Senapati district.
The schedule for free cataract surgeries for identified patients will be announced after the completion of the screening drive.