By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net
Srinagar: In an initiative that could be termed as sigh of relief for many youths in Kashmir, Pune-based Borderless World Foundation in collaboration with its Jammu and Kashmir chapter and Department of Ophthalmology, SMHS Hospital in Srinagar is conducting free Retinal surgeries of victims who have been injured by pellet guns.
J&K Police Officer chasing protestors with a pellet gun (Photo By_ Raqib Hameed Naik)
Since last two days, a team of four doctors headed by Dr S Nataranjan who is a Padma Shri awardee along with the Director Aditya Jyot Hospital Mumbai, are camping in SMHS Hospital in Srinagar.
“In the last two days, we have conducted 24 major retinal surgeries and till 3 pm on Thursday, we have done eight surgeries and we are expecting to treat 12 more victims by evening,” Office Administrator, Borderless World Foundation, Haris Abrar told TwoCircles.net.
Notably, this initiative has nothing to do with the central government announcement of sending expert doctors team to valley for treating pellet victims.
In the back drop of internet blockade in the valley, the BWF J&K team is finding it hard to disseminate the information about free specialized treatment among people.
<(Photo credits: www.kashmirlife.net
“As of now we are only treating patients who are presently in ophthalmology ward of SMHS hospital. We are making calls to people, to let the information about free eye surgery flow to every pellet victim so that they don’t lose their vision,” the Administrator told TCN.
Earlier the J&K BWF was planning to take serious cases of pellet victims to Mumbai hospital but later cancelled their plans as arranging logistics was becoming a major issue for the organization.
The influx of patients with pellet injuries in eyes is such that another team of three doctors from Bangalore is scheduled to arrive in Valley on Sunday for the sake of patient care.
“Three more doctors are coming,” he confirmed.
The BWF has requested patients injured in pellet firing to visit the Department of Ophthalmology, SMHS Hospital or contact the Office Administrator of Central Office Borderless World Foundation. They can contact Haris Abrar Kashmiri on 8715038918, Khurshid on 941902894/ 9999991406, Ms Gitanjoli 8493926889, and Miss Iqra on 9622585341 or 0194-2430448.
Importantly, last week the J&K High Court had called for an immediate end to the use of pellet guns . The court had also directed the government to provide necessary treatment to all those injured in the ongoing unrest and shift those, who needed specialized treatment to other states.