While carrying out routine clinical activities, Aravind Eye Hospitals also prioritise awareness campaigns, Continuing Medical Education (CME) sessions, and other initiatives that further enhance the overall quality of eye care services.

Notably, the 38th Eye Donation Fortnight was observed across all Aravind centres, with a particular focus on creating public awareness and dispelling misconceptions associated with eye donation. Several programmes, including the corneal retrieval campaign, awareness rallies, press meetings, and radio talks, were conducted, receiving widespread support from the public.

The expansion of the very first Aravind Eye Hospital occurred 47 years ago, and celebrating this milestone is a significant occasion for Aravind, serving as a reminder of Dr. V’s vision and mission.

The celebration of Freshers’ day for newly recruited MLOPs is a notable event that fosters a sense of companionship among newcomers and their colleagues. Aravind constantly organises such programmes, which facilitate a healthy working environment.

This series features news on these events and much more.

Note: The events covered in this series took place between 15th August and 16th September.

Madhya Pradesh, 26-27 August

Revathy Kannadhasan,
Manager-Administration, Aravind-Chennai

Title: Acceptance of cataract surgery from the patients who have systemic conditions at a tertiary eye hospital

Aravind-Madurai, 16^th September

Aravind-Madurai celebrated its Hospital Day in commemoration of 47 years of eye care service. Dr. R. Kim, Chief Medical Officer, provided a concise overview of the previous year’s highlights and Dr. R.D. Ravindran, Chairman, Aravind Eye Care System, delivered the key note address.

During the event, staff members were honoured with awards and certificates, recognising their outstanding contributions. The celebration featured cultural performances, including dance, yoga, and singing, with a standout solo performance by Dr. Varshith, Madurai. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by R. Meenakshi Sundaram, Senior Manager, Clinical Services, Aravind-Madurai.

Aravind-Tirupati, 15^th September

Freshers’ day was organised to welcome the newly recruited MLOPs at Aravind-Tirupati. The event showcased various cultural activities, including dance, singing, debates, and drama, allowing the trainees to display their talents. Notably, 15th September coincides with the hospital’s 5th anniversary, making it a fitting day to celebrate MLOPs and their contributions to the hospital. To express their gratitude, doctors and administrative staff left personalised messages on a large banner displayed in the hostel.

Aravind-Chennai, 11^th September

The new city centre, covering a 1500 sq.ft has been inaugurated in Mylapore, Chennai by Dr. G. Natchiar, Director-Emeritus, Aravind Eye Care System, and Dr. R.D. Ravindran. Dr. Sivaraman, Chairman of the Chennai Urology and Robotics Institute, Chennai, graced this momentous occasion as a special guest. This city centre now addresses the eye care needs of the people in and around Mylapore, reducing travel time to the base hospital. On the opening day alone, there were a total of 42 outpatient visits.

25^th August-8^th September

Aravind Eye Hospitals commemorated the 38th National Eye Donation Fortnight by organising a series of activities centred on this year’s theme: “Dispel the common myths surrounding eye donation.” The objective was to raise public awareness about the significance of eye donation and to encourage individuals to pledge their eyes for donation. Aravind Eye Hospitals in all regions conducted a variety of events, either independently or in collaboration with various institutions. These activities included a blind walk programmes, awareness campaigns, rallies, debates, discussions, talks, orientations, and more. Notably, some of these events featured distinguished guests such as collectors and IAS officers, who offered their support and encouragement.

Aravind-Dindigul, 5^th September

Freshers’ day was organised for the newly recruited MLOPs at Aravind-Dindigul. The programme had various cultural events including, dance, Karakattam, singing, debate, and drama, creating an opportunity for the trainees to showcase their talents.

Aravind-Madurai, 2^nd September

The Department of Paediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus and Vision Rehabilitation Centre, Aravind-Madurai conducted the CME programme under the direction of Dr. P. Vijayalakshmi, Senior Medical Consultant, Paediatric Ophthalmology Services, Aravind-Madurai and Seniors leadership team. The programme was organised with the goal of raising awareness about cerebral visual impairment (CVI) and all its aspects, including, setting up a CVI clinic, the importance of rehabilitation strategies, the availability of facilities for children with CVI, and the impact of rehabilitation on the children and their parents.  Around 150 to 200 participants including, ophthalmologists, paediatricians, optometrists, and therapists attended the programme. Additionally, there was a pop-up quiz, ensuring better interaction with the delegates.

Aravind-Salem, 1^st September

A team building game event was organised by Aravind-Salem to motivate the MLOPs. Dharshini, senior RJ and good friend of Aravind-Salem, made the event enjoyable.

Aravind-Madurai, 30-31, August 2023

Aurosiksha organised the second webinar for MLOPs from vision centres.
The webinar featured talks by distinguished speakers on various topics.

• Rajathi K. Aravind, Vision Centre, Gandhigram on “Comprehensive Ocular Examination”
• Ramkaran Tripathi, Sadguru Netra Chikitsalya, Chitrakoot on “Comprehensive refractive evaluation”
• Dr. Anitha, Aravind Eye Hospital, Tirunelveli on “Examining for ocular surface diseases”
• Dr. Vijayalakshmi, Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai on “Screening for glaucoma”
• Dr. Pranesh Balasubramaniam, Moorfields Eye Hospital, UK on “Recognising and managing ocular emergencies”
• Birendra Pratap Singh, Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, Delhi on “Examining children”
• Dr. Prithvi Chandrakanth, Aravind Eye Hospital, Coimbatore on “Screening for retinal pathologies”
• Dr. Subhra Sil, Vivekananda Mission Ashram Netra Niramay Niketan, Chaithanyapur on “Evaluation of headache and double vision”
• Sitharamanjaneyalu Madhukuri (Anji), L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad on “Investigating sudden onset of defective vision”

The webinar had 660 registrations and over 250 attendees joined the online programme.

Aravind-Madurai, August 25-27, 2023

The 1st Mid-Term Conference of the All India Rhinology Society (AIRS) held at the LAICO Auditorium, was jointly hosted by Aravind-Madurai and Harshini Hospital, Madurai. A multidisciplinary team was involved in this endeavour, and a distinguished group of speakers from various subspecialties across India participated as guest faculty.

During the inaugural ceremony, Dr. M.G. Rajiniganth, Organising Secretary, Endovision 2023, welcomed the attendees. Dr. Atul Jain, President, AIRS, delivered the presidential address, and Dr. A. Rathinavel, Dean of Madurai Medical College, delivered the inaugural address. Gagandeep Singh Bedi, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Government, Health & Family Welfare Department, Chennai, felicitated the programme through video conference.

The scientific discussions covered various topics, including advancements in endoscopic orbital surgeries, cutting-edge techniques, technologies, and trends in the field. The conference also featured live surgical demonstrations, an engaging cadaveric dissection pre-conference workshop at Government Rajaji Hospital, and enlightening lectures with interactive sessions. A total of 162 participants attended the conference, including ENT specialists, ophthalmologists, postgraduates, and fellows from both specialties.

Aravind-Kovilpatti, 18^th August

Freshers’ day for newly joined MLOPs was organised at Kovilpatti. The chief guest, Gengammal, Tamil teacher, Government girls higher secondary school, Kovilpatti delivered an inspiring speech. Various cultural events, including Bharatanatyam, Karagattam, Folk dance, and Tamil songs, were performed by the trainees.  Dr. R. Ram Sudharsan, Medical Consultant, Aravind-Tirunelveli and Dr. B. Harini Krishna, Medical Consultant, Aravind-Kovilpatti were present at the occasion.

Aravind-Tirupati, 10^th August

Aravind-Tirupati has achieved National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) certification, demonstrating compliance with the standards outlined under the Eye Care Organisation Certification Programme. The accreditation certificate remains valid until August 2026.

• At NIO Pune EYECON 2023 – Retina Conclave, organised by The National Institute of Ophthalmology, Pune.
  Pune, 9-10 September
• At the National Conference of Vision 2020
  Madhya Pradesh, 26-27 August 2023