Gorakhpur– In a historic humanitarian initiative, the Indian Army and Indian Air Force jointly organized a Mega Surgical Eye Camp in eastern Uttar Pradesh, successfully restoring the eyesight of 374 patients from the region. The camp was formally concluded today at the 12 Air Force Hospital, Gorakhpur, marking the first time such an advanced surgical campaign was conducted in this part of the state.
The surgical team was led by world-renowned ophthalmologist Brigadier (Dr.) Sanjay Kumar Mishra, Head of the Ophthalmology Department and Senior Consultant at the Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi. The camp showcased the Army and Air Force’s commitment to “Nation First”, bringing new light to hundreds of lives through compassionate and high-quality medical care.
The closing ceremony was attended by Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command, Air Marshal B. Manikantan, along with Surgeon Vice Admiral Dr. Aarti Sarin, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), and Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja, Director General Medical Services (Air), who conducted a high-level inspection of the operations.
The Mega Eye Camp set a remarkable milestone in the state, with army doctors performing surgeries on a record number of patients. The first day alone saw over 100 successful eye operations, while the second day extended care to underserved communities, including 20 patients supported by the Maati Foundation. Patients came from across eastern UP districts such as Siddharthnagar, Azamgarh, Deoria, Maharajganj, and Gorakhpur, as well as neighboring Nepal, highlighting the camp’s extensive reach and regional impact.
One of the most touching success stories is that of 69-year-old Amarnath Gupta from Gorakhpur, whose vision had deteriorated over the years, depriving him of the simple joy of seeing his grandchildren. Following a successful procedure at the camp, he joined hundreds of others who have received the gift of sight, a vivid reminder of the Indian Army’s commitment to reaching remote communities with life-changing medical care.
The surgical team, under Brigadier (Dr.) Sanjay Kumar Mishra, was supported by dedicated officers including Lieutenant Colonel Ravi Chauhan and Major Amrita Joshi, whose tireless efforts ensured the historic success of the Mega Eye Camp. This initiative, described as a “Flying Hospital”, demonstrates the armed forces’ expertise and humanitarian outreach in providing advanced medical services to underserved populations in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
