On September 15, 2023, MOHAN Foundation was invited to the “38th National Eye Donation Fortnight 2023, Free Eye Screening and Awareness Camp” organised by the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCB and VI) under the aegis of the National Health Mission (NHM), Manipur, at the State Ophthalmic Office, Imphal. Ms. Laishram Monica Devi, Programme Officer, MOHAN Foundation, and Ms. Thoidingjam Udayini Khuman, Transplant Coordinator, MOHAN Foundation, represented MOHAN Foundation.
The function was graced by Dr. Khoirom Sasheekumar Mangang, Director, Manipur Health Services, as the Chief Guest; Dr. Vikram Singh Khoisnam, State Nodal Officer, NPCB & VI, NHM Manipur, as the President; Mrs. Leishangthem Tonthoingambi Devi, Manipuri Film Actress, as the Guest of Honour; and Dr. Ningombam Reagan, Ophthalmologist, District Hospital, Thoubal, as the resource person for the function. The programme was attended by doctors, nurses, technicians, students of Yaima College of Optometry, and staff of the State Ophthalmic Office, Imphal.
Following the felicitation of the dignitaries, Ms. Udayini welcomed the audience to the programme. Dr. Sasheekumar spoke at the event and emphasised how important eye donation is and how everyone should want to donate their eyes. "Eye donation is a humanitarian act. With your gift, someone will be born again with your sight," he said. He also urged the MOHAN Foundation to raise public awareness of the issue.
In his presidential address, Dr. Vikram described the ongoing development of corneal transplantation and the eye bank as an initiative by NPCB and VI, Manipur. Additionally, he urged the public to begin making a decision, as corneal transplants are only feasible if someone donates their corneas.
As the programme's resource person, Dr. Reagan emphasised the advantages and disadvantages of eye donation, stating that, unlike other organ transplants, corneal transplant recipients do not require immunosuppressive drugs.
Mrs. Tonthoingambi expressed gratitude for the invitation to such events, where she had acquired a great deal of knowledge about eye donation. "When I was younger, I often fantasised about donating my eyes after seeing the famous Indian actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan pledge for eye donation. Due to a lack of information and direction on the subject, I was unable to choose the best way to pledge for it. As a volunteer for one of the non-governmental organisations serving people with disabilities, I wished to contribute as much as possible to humanity", she continued. She is really passionate about the noble act of organ donation.
The programme ended with a vote of thanks from Ms. Amita Mayanglambam, Eye Donation Counsellor, NPCB & VI, Manipur.
Ms. Monica continued the programme by conducting awareness sessions with the patients and family members who participated in the eye camp. She described the various forms of donations, the procedure for eye donation, the method for pledging, and the need for the consent of family members to make organ donation possible. She also informed about the donor pledge counter at Lamphelpat's Manipur State Eye Bank. In addition, a Q&A session was conducted during which several questions were raised.
To mention a few:
1. Is it possible to donate even if a pledge is not made during a person's lifetime? If so, can the family give consent following a diagnosis of brain death?
2. Is there any helpline or contact details if any family members desire to pledge?
In the end, an information brochure issued by Manipur State Eye Bank was distributed to the audience. The organising committee thanked the MOHAN Foundation team and discussed organising awareness sessions in Manipur's various district hospitals.
Close to 300 participants attended the programme.
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