The Shija Foundation on Wednesday inaugurated its new eye medical equipment donated by the Embassy of Japan at Shija Hospital in Langol, Imphal West.
The donation has been provided under the GGP (Grant Assistance for the Grassroots Projects) Scheme of the government of Japan as a part of its Official Development Assistance Scheme to developing countries around the world.
The donation has been given to Shija Foundation as a token of friendship between Japan and India from the people of Japan, said minister of Economic and Development, Embassy of Japan in India Shingo Miyamoto who attended the inaugural function as guest of honour.
Both the countries are determined to stand together in future as well, he said, expressing the significance of these grassroots projects that actually affect the lives of common people at the ground.
The aid assisted the procurement of Glaucoma Laser (used for managing painful blind eye), Visual Field Analyzer (VFA- used for Glaucoma detection), B Scan with UBM (Ultrasound Bio Microscope- used to visualize the structure of eyeball when the media is opaque), and Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography (AS OCT used to analyse the anterior segment).
These devices are primarily designed to bridge the gap in treatment for Glaucoma and DR, two of the most common causes of blindness and visual impairment in the state.
With the installation of these devices, early diagnosis and intervention for glaucoma and DR patients in the state can be targeted and treated, said managing director of Shija Hospital Dr Kh Palin.
He said it would also help to reduce the burden of blindness and low vision due to Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, and other Vitreo- Retinal diseases in the underserved population of Manipur.
The beneficiaries shall no longer need to go outside the state to avail of such care anymore and shall have better eye healthcare at the doorstep, he added.
Presenting the activities of Shija Foundation, its consultant ophthalmologist Dr Sachindra Laishram informed that the foundation is contributing more than 50 per cent of the total cataract surgeries done in the state with around 2000-2500 cataract surgeries every year.
The foundation also conducts regular outreach camps (more than 400 camps) in different regions of the state, he said adding these outreach activities have also been extended to the neighbouring country (Myanmar) in association with the Indian Embassy of Myanmar and Manipur government.
As per report of the Shija Hospital, it is estimated that 4 per cent of the total population of Manipur is suffering from diabetes and people suffering from diabetes are at the risk for Diabetic Retinopathy.
The foundation also expressed its heartfelt gratitude to the people of Japan for their generous assistance to the people of Manipur.
The function was also attended by president of Shija Foundation RK Nimai and project coordinator, GGP Embassy of Japan in India Babita as presidium members.
