Andhra Pradesh - Others   

Light, literally, at the end of the tunnel for them

B. V. S. Bhaskar

Goutami Eye Institute conducts eye surgery on 82 persons free of cost

NEW DAWN: Three poor persons from Yeleswaram whose vision was restored after free surgery by a team of the Goutami Hospital of Rajahmundry. — Photo-S. Rambabu

Yeleswaram (East Godavari): Pilli Latchaiah, 60-year-old construction worker, developed bilateral matured cataract and lose eyesight. He was removed from daily labour work. He had been earning Rs.1200 per month till that day. He spent about three months without food in Hyderabad and returned to his children in this mandal headquarters and lost hope that he would get vision in near future.

Salugu Yellayamma (70), who was thrown out of her house as she lost eyesight and no more an earning member in her family. She became orphan and her sister fed her for some time. Akula Babji and Giduturi Chinnaiah, who lost one eye during blasting of stones in local quarry, gradually lost vision of the remaining eye also and became blind. Another 65-year-old man, Kondala Rao of Mamidada village, who got operated upon on both eyes about a decade ago also lost vision gradually.

As many as 82 persons like this, who lost vision, saw a new world and got new lease of life on Sunday after they were operated upon free of cost as they were living under below the poverty line. "When we had vision, we were taken care of by our children. After they came to know about our visual impairment they tried to get rid of us. Finally, we got vision again and we can live by our own," said Yellayamma, Lachaiah, Babji and Chinnaiah.

Routine life

Blasting, stone crushing and loading and unloading gravel has been a routine for more than 2,000 families in this mandal headquarters for a long time as the quarry industry flourished here.

Most of the labour who worked as quarry workers lost both eyes and were suffering from eye-related diseases.

Goutami Eye Institute of Rajahmundry recently conducted an eye camp with the support of Vengamamba Engineering Works and helped 82 patients by providing them free lodging boarding and conducted surgeries without taking a rupee. All the 82 returned home by thanking and blessing doctors K. Madhavi, Pin Lu and Kambli and K. Madhu for doing surgeries.

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