New Delhi, September 06, 2023. Entod Pharmaceuticals, a prominent pharmaceutical company in India, has announced an initiative coinciding with the 38th National Eye Donation Fortnight, observed from August 25th to September 8th, 2023. The campaign's primary goal is to raise awareness about the critical importance of eye donation and encourage corneal transplants to combat the widespread issue of corneal blindness. In collaboration with hospitals and clinics across India, this campaign will mobilize over 1,000 doctors to reach out to more than 50,000 individuals in over 10 states. These dedicated medical professionals will educate patients about the significance of eye donation, simplify the process, dispel misconceptions, and inspire a collective wave of compassion.
Complementing these core efforts are a series of engaging activities, including eye donation awareness camps and rallies spanning over 10 states, including Maharashtra (Mumbai), Bengal (Kolkata), Delhi, Telangana (Hyderabad), Bihar (Patna), and more. These upcoming events are carefully designed to establish interactive platforms, focused on educating, motivating, and uniting communities in support of eye donation. Through camps and rallies, the campaign seeks to foster a shared sense of responsibility and motivation, transcending geographical boundaries to unite individuals in the cause of restoring sight and igniting hope.
According to the National Blindness Survey (2015-2019), a staggering 4.8 million people in India grapple with blindness, with corneal blindness ranking as the second most prevalent form, constituting 7.4% of overall blindness cases. Additionally, an alarming 25,000 to 30,000 new cases of corneal blindness arise annually. In the face of this adversity, corneal transplantation remains the beacon of hope, offering the sole opportunity to restore vision and rejuvenate lives affected by corneal disorders.The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the landscape of corneal transplants, resulting in a decline in corneal donations, as highlighted by the Eye Bank Association of India. In response, the Eye Donation Fortnight strives to make people understand the significance of eye donation and creating collective awareness through various channels, including regional awareness camps, social media campaigns and educational initiatives.
Mr. Nikkhil K Masurkar, President, Entod Eye Health Foundation explained,“Building upon the impactful foundation of the #pledgemyeyes campaign launched last year, we are resolutely continuing our efforts to amplify awareness about eye donation through the Eye Donation Fortnight. Centred on the pioneering pledgemyeyes.org initiative led by Prof. Dr. S Natarajan, this movement empowers individuals to pledge their eyes conveniently, right from the comfort of their homes, with just two clicks. This approach radiates newfound hope, illuminating lives in the process. Remarkably, this initiative has successfully garnered over 1 million eye donations across India, a testament to its profound influence. At its core, this collective mission is dedicated to dispelling misconceptions, simplifying procedures, and fostering engagement in this life-altering act of compassion."
Adding a medical perspective, Dr. Anjani Pratap, M.S FLVPEI, Consultant ophthalmologist, Cataract and Refractive Surgoen, Assistant Professor at Omania General Hospital expressed, "In the precious act of donating a pair of eyes, lies the potential to rewrite stories of strength and victory against all odds. This special drive, led by the passionate team at Entod, is a powerful reminder to rethink not only the gift of sight but also the incredible depth of kindness that goes beyond one's lifetime. By giving this priceless gift, we're not just restoring vision; we're planting seeds of change that keep growing even in tough times. In this crucial moment, as the need for eye donations becomes more urgent, let's allow this inspiring initiative to motivate us to speed up our acts of giving. Together, we can bring light to lives that have been in the shadows for too long.
