August 2005 Sankara Nethralaya Number 39
An eye for care In the Cover story in THE WEEK issue dated 24th April 2005, India’s Sankara Nethralaya has been rated at Number 1 spot among all eye hospitals and at Number 5 among all top 10 hospitals Best in a survey conducted covering Hospitals and Medical colleges all over India. Eye An Exclusive 20-city survey of hospitals and medical colleges was conducted by TNS. Hospital India’s health care sector is growing astoundingly fast. India has become a hot medical destination for patients in the middle east, Africa and even the west. And word is spreading that Indian hospitals can provide world class care at competitive rates. TNS spoke to 663 general practitioners and 1,013 specialists in 20 cities for the ranking. A hospital entered the roll of honour if at least 10 per cent of the doctors in any speciality rated it as one of the top five. Thus, 22 qualified and the top 10 were chosen on the basis of the proportion of doctors who considered the hospital among the top 5. Sankara Nethralaya was ranked FIRST in providing Ophthalmic care followed by AIIMS, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Aravind Eye Hospitals and Apollo Hospitals. And the Winner is ... Quality Eye Care Assured Dr. T. S. Surendran, Vice Chairman of Sankara Nethralaya Sankara Nethralaya, the hospital and a consultant who treats wing of Medical Research children in the department of Foundation was the first pediatric and squint has just been ophthalmic institution in Asia to get notified that he is the recipient of ISO quality certification. The the Dr. N.S. Reddy Endowment patients who visit the outpatient Award. area or the operating theatres are indeed aware of the stringent quality systems in all aspects Dr. V. Chandrashekar Reddy, professor at Hyderabad’s Sarojinidevi of the institution’s operations. The Inspecting agency - BVQI Eye Institute, writes that the award has been conferred on Dr. T.S. - surveyed the hospital in January 2005 and found that it Surendran for his “excellent work in the field of squint and pediatric continues to conform fully to those very high standards. ophthalmology.”
Congratulations Dr. Surendran! Tsunami Avoidable Blindness Project A Milestone for C U SHAH Eye Bank Tsunami Avoidable Blindness – Project organized by Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai. In the month of June 2005 the camp DARSHAN - a new journal from C.U. Shah Eye Bank of Sankara was organized at the Tsunami affected area at Kancheepuram Nethralaya, was released on 7th July 2005 at Sankara District, Tamil Nadu. About 450 patients are benefited during Nethralaya. Shri N. Murali, Joint Managing Director, The the camp. So far 40 cataract plus Intra Ocular Lens surgeries HINDU, released the first copy of the journal. Smt Sivasankari, done completely free of Cost. This project will continue further. Novelist and Social Activist received the first copy and Smt. Seetha Ravi, Editor; Kalki Weekly also graced the occasion. OM Trust Member of the United States of America Sri. S.P. Muthuraman – famous Cine Director and a friend of Shri. Ram Dhingra and Smt. Ram Dhingra on their personal efforts collected US $ 10,000/- to perform 220 Cataract Surgeries in the Tsunami affected regions. Their efforts were fruitful and they could save vision in 220 needy Tsunami victims. eye care tips Adults and children should wear sunglasses that give 100 percent UVA and UVB protection from ultraviolet rays when in the sun or using a sunlamp
Always wear safety glasses when working with tools, machinery, or chemicals Sankara Nethralaya and supporter of all the activities of Sankara Nethralaya including eye banking and eye donation campaign Know that regular eyeglasses don’t always provide was honoured on this auspicious occasion. Shri R C Parekh enough protection – Board Member of Medical Research Foundation, Smt Surekha Ben Mehta – Trustee of SWAN (Sankara Nethralaya Women’s Avoid flying toys and projectile-firing toys; these pose Auxiliary), Lion Ashok Mehta – Volunteer, SWAN, Rtn S N a danger to all children, particularly those under 5 Srikanth – an industrialist and social worker who incidentally years old also sponsored the first issue of DARSHAN, Lion S N Hari Narayanan – an Industrialist and Social Worker was honoured Keep kitchen utensils, desk supplies, and personal- for their laudable services to this noble cause, eye donation. use items (such as cosmetics and toiletry products) DARSHAN is a bilingual (Tamil and English) quarterly journal where they are out of reach of children to further popularise the eye donation and promotion of the concept of eye banking among the medical and paramedical Avoid scratching an eye with cosmetic applicators professionals in and around Chennai. Sri A.P. Irungovel, Special and brushes Executive, Eye Bank is the editor of the journal. SN TOLL FREE Help Line Shield your eyes when using aerosol sprays For Eye Donation Call Wear proper sports eye guards and face masks when playing sports and 1919 Know proper first-aid for eye injuries Service available for places within CHENNAI
2 3 Sankara Nethralaya’s expanding network to Salem and Andaman & Nicobar
T.M.S Hospital, Salem launched their Teleophthalmology Service G.B. Pant Hospital, Andaman and Nicobar inaugurated the in association with Sankara Nethralaya on 14.05.2005. Thiru Teleophthalmology Project on 9th June. Hon’ble Lt. Governor G.K. Vasan, Minister of Parliament and Dr S S Badrinath, Prof Ramachandra G Tape and Dr S S Badrinath, Chairman, Chairman, Sankara Nethralaya, both launched the service in Sankara Nethralaya inaugurated the service. It was telecasted the presence of Dr K. Ravishankar, CEO, Sankara Nethralaya live from the Sankara Nethralaya Teleophthalmology room, Chennai via video-conferencing facility. The Teleophthalmology and Dr Rajiv Raman, Ophthalmic In charge, Telemedicine, services would be a boon to people of Andaman and Nicobar Sankara Nethralaya. The function was held at T.M.S. Hospital, as a travel to the main land is very inconvenient for these Salem and it was viewed live at Sankara Nethralaya through folks. video conferencing.
Celebrations OOKP saves vision National Technology Day National Technology Day was celebrated at Sankara Nethralaya on 11th May 2005. Dr Rajiv Raman, Dr. Rama Rajagopal, Dr. E Ravindra Mohan, Ms. Mahalakshmi, Mr. Viswanathan and Mr. Suresh Kumar gave a presentation at the function. Dr. K Ravishankar, CEO, gave vote of thanks.
Annual International Nurses day
Department of Nursing of Sankara Nethralaya unit of Medical Research Foundation, Chennai celebrated the Annual Professor Falcinelli and his son Dr. Johnny Falcinelli, from International Nurses day on May Rome, Italy who are pioneers in the Osteo Odonto 12, 2005 in a grand way. Chairman Keratoprosthesis (OOKP) procedure were here between 10- Dr S S Badrinath inaugurated the 13th April 2005. Under their guidance, the Stage I procedure function and emphasized on for two patients were done by Dr. G Sitalakshmi and one delivering empathetic nursing care procedure was done by Professor himself. These patients to all our patients. On this were bilaterally blind due to end stage limbal stem cell occasion the nurses rededicated themselves towards excellence in deficiency. These three procedures went on well and these patient care. The senior nursing staffs, servicing Sankara Nethralaya patients under went for the Stage II procedures, which was more than 20 years has been honoured. Nursing heads of the reputed done in July 2005. Our heartfelt thanks to Professor Falcinelli hospitals actively participated and shared their views. and his son for coming all the way from Italy to help us to perform this procedure. ARVO INDO US Workshop – Six of our Senior Consultants and Scientists attended the sessions at Fort Lauderdale at USA where several collaborative Research Projects were finalized. Dr Prema Padmanabhan, one of our consultants said, “On the whole, the trip was very educative and useful. It was an optimal blend of clinical, surgical and research oriented exposure to current technology, skills and expertise. Many possibilities for improvements in clinical practice, & many areas of Collaborative Research were discovered and explored”.
4 Telescreening for Diabetic retinopathy: Taking eye-care to rural south India
The aim is to alleviate human suffering related to diabetes and its complications among those least able to withstand the burden of desease
KARNATAKA
Tumkur
Kolar
Mandya Bangalore
Mysore Chamraj Nagar
Background will be Local NGO’s like Lions club, general practitioners & Sankara Nethralaya, Bangalore. Diabetic retinopathy has been one of the foremost causes of blindness in the developed countries. In India, it was the 17th Project area cause of blindness 20 years ago. Today diabetes related The districts which will be screened in a period of 5 years are blindness has ascended to the 6th position. As per the WHO Bangalore, Kolar, Mandya, Mysore, Chamrajnagar, Tumkur. statistics, the number of adults with diabetes in the world is estimated to increase by 122% from 135 million in 1995 to 300 (Black dots in the map). million in 2025. This increase is expected to be 42% in the Main goals of this initiative will be developed countries and 170% in the developing countries. The greatest increase is expected in India: 195% from 18 million in Prevention by screening, Screening of diabetic cases for early 1995 to 54 million in 2025. diabetic retinopathy in the project area, Preventing blindness by early diagnosis and prompt treatment i.e. To provide tertiary Initiative directed at: Screening for diabetic retinopathy can be care in the form of laser photocoagulation or vitreous surgery either ophthalmologist based or ophthalmologist led. In India for patients having diabetic retinopathy. By achieving these there is an inequitable distribution of wealth & resources; while goals the awareness about diabetic retinopathy in the general 70 % of population lives in villages, about 80 % of population will be greatly enhanced. ophthalmologists practice in cities. India has 1 ophthalmologist per 100,000 population and this ratio is even more dismal for Expected Impact rural settings. In India, ophthalmologist- based model is not a Awareness of diabetic retinopathy in the general population and cost- effective screening method. Teleophthalmology, an amongst people with diabetes will be greatly enhanced. ophthalmologist-led screening model offers a cost- effective and 400,000 people with diabetes will undergo dilated eye examination. feasible screening model for screening of Diabetic retinopathy. 8,000 diabetic retinopathy patients will receive advice and treatment. Major partners The World Diabetes Foundation Vision research foundation, Medical research foundation, Indian It is dedicated to supporting prevention and treatment of Space Research Organization, Govt. of India and World diabetes in developing countries. They act as a catalyst to Diabetes foundation, Denmark will initiate a project build relations among different stakeholders such as “Telescreening for Diabetic retinopathy: Taking eye-care to rural governments, diabetes organisations, hospitals and authorities. south India.” connecting 6 districts to a tertiary eye care institute “ Sankara Nethralaya” to provide Telescreening services to The project Sankarawill be launched Nethralaya, in October Bangalore 2005. Dr. P.V. Vishnu diabetics. In this endeavour other partners who will be involved will head57/3, theMargosa operations Road, 17th Cross,at bangalore Malleshwaram, centre. Bangalore - 560055. Phone : 080 23369116, 23568762 Fax : 23569685
5 Nethralaya News CME on Paediatric Anaesthesia Eye camp for Journalists at Navasuja Sankara Nethralaya
A CME on Paediatric anaesthesia was held on June 26, 2005 at GRT Grand GRT Convention Centre, Chennai. It was well participated by City Anaesthetists and Ophthalmologists. Paediatric anaesthesia, whether out-patient or in-patient, is a An eye camp was organized for the journalists’ of Chennai at continum of clinical care. It begins with preoperative evaluation Navasuja Sankara Nethralaya on Sunday April 17, 2005. The including fasting and premedication, induction and maintenance program was organized on request from the National Union of of anaesthesia, emergence from anaesthesia, postoperative Journalists’, Tamil Nadu division. Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, analgesia and care in the postoperative unit or intensive care Honourable Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare unit. inaugurated the camp. Dr. Anbumani was received by Dr. K. Ravishankar, CEO, Dr. T. S. Surendran, Vice Chairman, Paediatric anaesthesia presents unique and formidable and Mr. V. Vaidyanathan, Hony. Secretary and Treasurer of challenges to the anaesthesiologist occasionally practicing the Medical Research Foundation at Navasuja. The inauguration speciality. An understanding of the basic sciences - physiology, began with a prayer song followed by welcome address by Mr. pharmacology and psychology of children, is helpful in optimally Balasubramaniam, General Secretary, National Union of managing these small patients under anaesthesia. Journalists. Most of the complications we encounter can arise from a lack of understanding of these special considerations. A high level The camp was inaugurated by Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss along of skill and quick responses are added attributes while taking with Dr. K. Ravishankar and Mr. V. Vaidyanathan, by lighting care of these patients. the traditional Kuththuvilakku. In his talk, Dr. R. Anbumani, spoke about the important role being played by private With several technical advances in many surgical specialities institutions like Sankara Nethralaya in helping the government such as microscopic ophthalmic surgery and laproscopic surgery, in achieving the goal of reducing preventable blindness in the the anaesthetic requirements also change. country. He mentioned that of all the healthcare programs At Sankara Nethralaya, over the past two years nearly 4800 launched in the country, the most successful was the eye care children have undergone procedures for various eye problems. program and this was mainly due to the effort of organizations This load of paediatric work has been possible due to the team like Sankara Nethralaya joining hands with the government in work involved among the various departments namely the providing eye care and doing cataract surgeries. Paediatric Ophthalmology, Anaesthesiology, Operating room staff and Nursing departments. About 80 journalists underwent the eye examination yesterday. Those requiring further investigation and treatment were referred Call Us Toll Free to the respective departments. USA and Canada at 1-877-393-7666 “Sankara Nethralaya is an amazing organization…..with UK at (0800) 917 6972 creativity, commitment and This new service is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m generosity of spirit” to 4 pm, Eastern Standard Time. We look forward to answering your questions. - Dr Loren Greenberg, Brandeis University, USA
6 Nethralaya News
Sankara Nethralaya @ India Medical Tourism Sankara Nethralaya @ Educationplus Fair 2005, Exposition, London Chennai
Sankara Nethralaya participated in the First India Medical The Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya had Tourism Exposition held at Alexandra Palace, Wood Green, participated in the “Educationplus Fair 2005” conducted by The London organised by International Business Events, a New Hindu, and the University of Madras sponsored by the Indian Delhi based event management company between 2nd and 4th Bank, at the Centenary Hall, University of Madras, Chepauk, June. Dr Tarun Sharma, Dr G Sitalakshmi and Mr. Ravi from 27th to 29th May 2005. The details of off-campus courses Subramanian, Head - Fund Raising, represented Sankara of BITS-Pilani conducted at Medical Research Foundation namely Nethralaya. His Excellency Mr. Kamlesh Sharma, The Indian BS (optometry) at the Elite School of Optometry, BS (Ophthalmic High Commissioner in UK inaugurated the function. The facilities Assistant), MS (Medical Lab Technology) were presented. There available at Sankara Nethralaya were highlighted. were about 4000 visitors on all the 3 days.
I Care Award to Sankara Nethralaya Congrats!
The Lions Club of Central Madras presented ‘I’ Care Award to the Jaslok Community Ophthalmic Centre of Sankara Nethralaya. Commemorating Helen Keller Day, the citation for providing comprehensive eye care to the underprivileged was presented by N.S. Sankar, District Governor, to Dr. K. Ravi Shankar, chief executive officer, Sankara Nethralaya. Dr. S.S. Badrinath, chairman, was also present on the occasion. Dr. R. R. Sudhir of Sankara Nethralaya completed Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University, School of Public Health and The ‘Knight of the Blind,’ award was presented to doctors Smita Public Health Ophthalmology from Dana Center of Ophthalmology Praveen, C. Madhavan, Sripriya Krishnamurthy, Vishnu Vahan (Wilmer Eye Institute, USA). Dr. R.R. Sudhir was at Johns Hopkins Prasan, Nivedita Narayanan, Sonali Raman and senior executive V. for one year working with Dr. John Kempen. Sivakumar. S.N. Hari Narayanan, Chairman, ‘Sight First,’ Janaka Kottiah, President, Lions Club of Central Madras, Jonna Hearty Congratulations to him from Sankara Nethralaya family. Kottiah, Treasurer, and Murugan Babu, Secretary, participated. r
7 Nethralaya’s CORPUS FUND Medical Research Foundation is a charitable, not-for-profit organization Sankara Nethralaya OM Trust Inc., committed to Community Ophthalmology, providing comprehensive free DONATION SCHEME AMOUNT IN USD* eye care to the urban and rural poor. 1.One time on a designated date Single Cataract Surgery 50 $ l AIM : To create a Corpus Fund. Single Major Surgery such as Retina, Glaucoma 175 $ l AMOUNT : 120 million Rupees (US$ 2.7 million) in Phase 1. 2.Single day free service 40 Surgeries per day 2,000 $ l PLAN : To provide high quality inpatient free eye care surgery to the 3.Year after year on a designated date economically poor in India, out of the interest earned. Single Free Cataract Surgery 500 $ l GOOD NEWS : Sir Ratan Tata Trust, Mumbai has evaluated our program to Single major Surgery (Retina, Glaucoma) 1,750 $ perform 10,000 such free surgeries every year perennially, found it acceptable 4.Dedication scheme A bed in General ward 2,200 $ and is considering to part fund of the corpus. The first and second contribution to A Room 6,500 $ to 11,000 $ the fund came from Sankara Nethralaya consultants and employees. The Alumni An Operation theater 35,000 $ of Nethralaya have also made a contribution. 5.Tele-ophthalmology A single day screening How You Can Help Us of 200 rural poor for vision care 250 $ Donation of USD 1000/- to Medical Research Foundation 6.Corpus Fund For Community outreach program Any amount l TAX EXEMPT : Donations are now 100% tax Exempt as per Section 35 AC of
*100% IRS Tax exempted in US IRS Registered 501 (C)(3) the Income Tax Act, India. In USA, donations to SN OM Trust are 100% IRS tax A scheme for every occasion exempt. Contribution Details Share and Celebrate with us For questions about tax exempt status and contributions, please contact : USA CANADA Mr S V Acharya Dr. Sivarama Dandamudi Treasurer email:[email protected] Sankara Nethralaya OM Trust Inc. 14613, Pommel Drive, Rockville, Hindu Society of MD 20850, U.S.A. Ottawa - Carleton, Inc. Phone:301-251-0378 P.O. Box No. 72017, Kanata, email: [email protected] Ontario, K2K 2P4, Canada. Donate online:www.omtrust.org Phone: 613-592-8978 email: [email protected] www.hindusocietyottawa.com UK OTHER COUNTRIES Editorial Board Charity Correspondent Dr. S.S. Badrinath Gopala Krishnan Ravi Chairman, Sankara Nethralaya Editor : Dr. Rajiv Raman R Chatru & Co. Ltd. (UNIT OF MEDICAL RESEARCH York House, FOUNDATION) Associate Editor : Mr. V. Murali Empire Way, Wembley, 18, College Road, Assistant Editor : Dr Seshadri Mahajan Middlesex, HA9 0PA. UK. Chennai 600 006. INDIA. Editorial Assistant: Mr. Sampath Kumar V Phone: 0208 795 1651 Phone: 2826 1265, 2827 1616 Fax: 0208 795 1652 Fax: 2825 4180, 2821 0117 Administrative Assistants : Mr. V. Suresh email: [email protected] email: Mr. Jyothi Srinivasan V [email protected] Typeset by : Mr. A L Senthilkumar [email protected] Printed at : Gyanodaya Press Website:www.sankaranethralaya.org
The issue of Eyelights is sponsored by : M/s. Alcon Laboratories, Bangalore Micro Vision, Bangalore Warren Pharmaceuticals, Mumbai M/s. Apex Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., Chennai
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