Kathmandu, 15 February: The happiness of 99-year-old Bishnumati Damai of Parbat Kushma-4 knows no bounds. Forced to live in darkness for the past two years, completely dependent on others, she is now delighted to see the light.
He had completely lost his sight in both eyes due to cataracts two years ago. He was able to see the world again after undergoing surgery at a free surgery camp conducted in Kushma. He said, “My eyesight started to get blurry seven or eight years ago. I have been unable to see anything at all for the past two years. I find it difficult to even get up in the morning and evening.” Since he has no children, his granddaughter is taking care of him.
Bishnumati, who has been living completely on the support of others for two years, was happy to see the world again and thanked the doctor who performed her surgery, saying, “I never thought I would see the world again in this lifetime. I thought I would die without even seeing the face of my granddaughter who supported me. But now that I can see everyone, even though my body is weak, I feel like I don’t have to be a burden to others anymore. Thank you all, God.”
154 cataract patients like Bishnumati underwent free surgery at a free camp conducted at the Provincial Hospital Kushma with the technical support of Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh Himalayan Eye Hospital Pokhara, financial support from the Rise Hope Foundation UK, and coordination with various Lions Clubs in Parbat.
According to Subash Nepal, Outreach Program Coordinator at Himalaya Eye Hospital, 154 cataract patients selected from free eye check-up camps conducted at 8 different locations in Parbat district underwent free surgery from Magh 29 to Falgun 1. Dr. Bishal Gurung, Chairman of the Rise Hope Foundation, who came to Nepal from the UK for the camp, expressed happiness that his small efforts have brought happiness back to his parents’ lives and pledged to continue supporting the eradication of blindness in Nepal in the coming days.
On the occasion, Nepal Netra Jyoti Association President Prof. Dr. Chetraj Panta said that with the main slogan ‘Our Duty, Our Responsibility: Partnership in Eye Care’, the association is organizing hundreds of camps annually to provide treatment services to citizens who are far from the reach of hospitals through its network in collaboration with various bodies.
He said, “Most of the villagers are low-income citizens, poor and destitute. They are forced to live with their diseases due to lack of finances and access to treatment when they have health problems. Therefore, the association is providing quality eye treatment services by visiting their doorsteps.” A team of health workers led by Dr. Hari Bikram Adhikari, an ophthalmologist at the Himalaya Eye Hospital, performed the surgery on the patient.
