Over 950 patients screened, 215 surgeries conducted
L-G lauds Fire & Fury Corps-led initiative for bringing specialised eye care to far-flung areas of Ladakh
Commends Indian Army’s humanitarian outreach and commitment to community welfare
Leh, April 30: The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, attended the closing ceremony of the Mega Eye Camp- Operation Netra 1.0, organised by the Fire & Fury Corps under Operation Sadbhavana for veterans and civilians at the Army General Hospital in Leh in collaboration with Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi. The four-day mega initiative, held from April 27 to April 30, covered patients from multiple remote locations, including Tangtse, Nyoma, Chushul, Nubra and Kargil.
The camp also witnessed advanced medical interventions by a highly specialised surgical team from Army Hospital (R&R), which screened around 950 patients and performed 214 specialised procedures, including 197 complex cataract surgeries, 10 vitreo-retinal procedures, and other advanced ophthalmic treatments such as Glued Intraocular Lens implantation, Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS), vitrectomy, Pterygium Excision and IOL Repositioning. Notably, vision was restored for around 15 patients, including those who were previously completely blind.
This large-scale initiative stands as a remarkable example of civil-military collaboration, bringing together the Indian Army, civilian healthcare professionals, and administrative agencies to deliver critical healthcare services to underserved populations in Ladakh’s most inaccessible areas.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor congratulated the Indian Army, particularly the Fire & Fury Corps, for the successful execution of the initiative. He described Operation Netra as a transformative effort that has brought new hope and light into the lives of hundreds of people, noting that for many beneficiaries, the surgeries have restored not just vision but also dignity, confidence and independence.
He emphasised that Ladakh’s challenging terrain and vast distances have historically limited access to specialised healthcare, but initiatives like Operation Netra are effectively bridging these gaps through coordinated outreach and service delivery.
The Lieutenant Governor lauded the collaborative efforts of Army Hospital (R&R), 153 General Hospital, SNM Hospital, the Health Department, and administrative teams, terming it a model of professional excellence and synergy. He also highlighted the Indian Army’s broader role as a force for humanity and community welfare, especially in remote regions like Ladakh.
Reaffirming his commitment to strengthening healthcare access, the Lieutenant Governor expressed confidence that the momentum generated by Operation Netra would continue, ensuring that quality medical services reach every corner of Ladakh.
During the ceremony, the Lieutenant Governor felicitated the medical team led by Brigadier (Dr) Sanjay Kumar Mishra, Head of Ophthalmology at Army Hospital (R&R), and distributed eye care kits among the beneficiaries.
