Indian Army Organizes Advanced Eye Care Camp in Bagdogra, W Bengal

The operations utilized state-of-the-art equipment and high-quality intraocular lenses, ensuring that the medical treatment provided was of the highest global standards.

The Indian Army conducted an advanced and comprehensive eye surgical camp at the 158 Base Hospital in Bagdogra, West Bengal, from March 20 to March 24, 2025, significantly enhancing medical support for veterans and their families. The specialized medical initiative, aimed primarily at ex-servicemen, witnessed extensive participation, with a total of 1,752 veterans and their dependents screened for various ophthalmic conditions, prominently including cataract ailments.

A dedicated team of expert ophthalmologists from prestigious military medical institutions such as Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi; Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt; and Command Hospital, Lucknow collaboratively carried out more than 350 cataract surgeries over the intensive five-day period. The operations utilized state-of-the-art equipment and high-quality intraocular lenses, ensuring that the medical treatment provided was of the highest global standards.

Highlighting its holistic approach towards eye care, the camp also facilitated the distribution of over 500 high-quality eyeglasses free of cost to veterans and their dependents, further improving their quality of life. This measure underscores the Ministry of Defence's ongoing commitment to deliver exemplary healthcare services under the proactive leadership of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh.

A notable aspect of this medical camp was its inclusivity, extending specialized ophthalmic care to beneficiaries from Nepal. Seventeen Nepalese ex-servicemen and their families received comprehensive eye screening, with several undergoing cataract surgeries without any charges, benefiting from high-standard lenses.

The commendable initiative was spearheaded by Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra, a highly decorated ophthalmic surgeon and Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi. Brigadier Mishra, renowned for successfully performing over one lakh surgeries covering cataract, vitreoretinal, refractive, and glaucoma treatments, highlighted the significance of bringing world-class healthcare services directly to the doorsteps of those who have selflessly served the nation.

Brigadier Mishra emphasized that veterans residing across the challenging terrains of West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, and neighboring Nepalese territories benefitted immensely from receiving timely and superior medical care without the necessity of long and cumbersome journeys.

The camp was organized following the directives from Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, in direct response to a request made by West Bengal Governor Shri CV Ananda Bose. The seamless execution of this program, strongly supported by the Trishakti Corps, exemplifies the collaborative spirit between civil and military administrations in enhancing healthcare access.

This pioneering healthcare initiative not only reaffirmed the Indian Army’s unwavering dedication to the welfare of its veterans and their families but also set a benchmark for future medical outreach activities across the region, reflecting India's enduring respect and commitment to those who have devoted their lives to national service.