Port Blair, Feb 01: Diabetic Retinopathy is one of the leading cause of irreversible blindness. To manage blindness due to diabetic retinopathy in Islands, an eye team headed by Dr (Mrs) Anita Shah, Deputy Director (Ophth) / Joint Secretary (NPCB), G.B. Pant Hospital, Port Blair has conducted Diabetic Retinopathy screening cum awareness camp at PHC Wimberlygunj for 3 days from 27th to 29th Jan 2016.
A sensitization programme was held at Pahchayat Hall, Wimberlygunj on 27/01/2016 from 10.00 AM, which was inaugurated lightning lamp by Shri. Manickam, Smti. Zareena Bibi, Pradhan, Gram Panchayat, Wimberlygunj and Kanyapuram respectively, Dr. (Mrs) Anita Shah, DD (Ophth)/JS (NPCB), Dr (Mrs) Nazia Rasheed, MO Incharge, PHC Wimberlygunj in the presence of Health Workers, ASHA Workers and other general public. NGO representative also attended the programme. In the welcome address, Dr (Mrs) Nazia Rasheed highlighted about Diabetic Retinopathy and informed, the Diabetic Retinopathy screening programme will be very helpful for the local people for early detection and management of eye cases due to diabetes. She appealed the gathering to come forward and take maximum advantage of the programme. Every individual should have knowledge about Diabeties and its effects on eye for early detection and management of diabetic retinopathy.
Thereafter, Dr. (Mrs) Anita Shah, DD (Ophth) / JS (NPCB) sensitized the gathering on Diabetic Retinopathy with Multimedia Presentation. She informed about the Signs & Symptoms, Prevention & Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy. Regular check up and medication to keep blood sugar under control is the best prevention for diabetic retinopathy. In her speech, she also stated that NPCB is taking various steps to manage irreversible blindness due to diabetic retinopathy in Islands. She advised the diabetic patients to take medicine regularly, do exercise and to follow the instructions of doctors, which can help to reduce diabetes complications. Since 2007, the G. B. Pant Hospital is screening more than 500 known diabetic patients per year for retinopathy and thereafter free laser treatment provided to needy patients to reduce blindness due to Diabetic Retinopathy. OPD screening is done for diabetic patients on every Saturday in G.B. Pant Hospital.
In the concluding session of the programme, Both Pradhans, NGOs representative spoken and shared their experiences on diabetes. They appealed the general people to come forward and take maximum advantage of the camp. Shri. Manickam appreciated the eye team members and conveyed thanks for arranging such camp at PHC Wimberlygunj. An interaction session was also held, where Dr. (Mrs) Anita Shah clarified the doubts of Health Staffs and general public on Diabetic Retinopathy.
Altogether, 151 known diabetic cases examined and the needy patient referred to G. B. Pant Hospital, Port Blair for further investigation and management.
