New Delhi: Indian Army doctors, including specialists from Command Hospital in Lucknow, conducted over 350 cataract surgeries during a state-of-the-art eye care camp held at 158 Base Hospital in Bagdogra, West Bengal, from March 20 to 24, 2025. The special medical team, comprising doctors from Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi, and Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt, examined the eye health of 1,752 ex-servicemen and their families, primarily focusing on cataract and other ophthalmic conditions.
More than 500 high-quality prescription glasses were also distributed free of cost during the camp. Advanced equipment and superior-quality lenses were utilized to ensure the best possible treatment for the patients. This initiative is a key step in the Ministry of Defence’s ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare services under the leadership of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
One of the most notable aspects of this camp was the provision of eye care services to ex-servicemen from Nepal. A total of 17 Nepalese veterans and their families underwent ophthalmic examinations, with some receiving free cataract surgeries utilizing high-quality lenses.
This initiative was spearheaded by Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra, Head of the Ophthalmology Department at Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi, and a renowned eye surgeon. Brigadier Mishra, who has performed over one lakh successful cataract, vitreoretinal, refractive, and glaucoma surgeries, emphasized that the camp provided world-class treatment to ex-servicemen who had dedicated their lives to serving the nation. The camp was specifically organized to extend free eye care services to veterans and their families residing in the Himalayan foothills across West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, and Nepal, ensuring they did not have to travel far for treatment.
The camp was conducted under the directives of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, following a request from West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose. Its primary objective was to offer high-quality ophthalmic care to ex-servicemen in the region. This initiative highlights the Indian Army’s commitment to providing top-notch medical services to former soldiers, particularly through the efforts of the Trishakti Corps, which continues to work towards improving healthcare facilities for veterans and their families.
