UDHAMPUR, NOVEMBER 22: For countless souls across the rugged, remote borderlands of Jammu and Kashmir, life had become an exercise in enduring the silent tyranny of darkness, their world reduced to indistinct shapes and memory.
Into this pressing need, an Advanced Surgical Eye Camp at Command Hospital Northern Command Udhampur, roared into existence, representing a monumental and compassionate healthcare offensive.
The advanced surgical eye camp successfully screened a total of 1500 individuals, including serving personnel, dependents, Veer Naris (war widows) and local civilians.
The initial comprehensive screening skilfully conducted by a diverse team of ophthalmologists stationed across the operational area of Jammu and Kashmir, was instrumental in mobilizing patients from remote, far-flung border regions under the leadership of Maj Gen Sanjay Sharma, Commandant Command Hospital Udhampur. Individuals journeyed from places like Poonch, Jammu, Rajouri, Ramban and Udhampur, overcoming significant geographical barriers to seek care.
The pinnacle of the camp’s success was the deployment of cutting-edge, specialized ophthalmological equipment, representing the world’s current best practice, which facilitated sophisticated cataract, retina and vitreous surgeries.
Among the countless beneficiaries the story of Surinder Singh, a 72-year-old patriarch from Poonch, resonates with a particular, heartbreaking intensity. Surinder Singh was not merely battling blindness for 2-3 yrs, he was carrying the heavy, indelible scars of loss. He had witnessed the unfolding tragedy in his very neighborhood during ‘Operation Sindoor,’ where the relentless shadow of conflict stole the lives of his neighbors—the vital breadwinners, the pillars of their families.
He transformed his gratitude into action, becoming a tireless champion who used his restored sight and his intimate understanding of grief to personally mobilize those fellow citizens paralyzed by sorrow and hardship.
Similarly, Abdullah Shafeeq, a retired soldier, 56-year-old from Mendhar, proved pivotal in coordinating and facilitating the provision of these specialized ophthalmological facilities to residents impacted by the recent conflict.
The camp delivered life-changing results, perhaps best exemplified by Rajkumari Devi, 96 yrs, having received the gift of clear sight, now has the precious ability to witness the world in full clarity.
The genesis of this impactful medical mission lay in a shared vision of service, conceptualized by the Honourable Defence Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, following a request from the Honourable Lieutenant Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha.
Responding swiftly to this call for vital healthcare outreach, Shri Rajnath Singh personally instructed the Army Chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, to ensure the immediate and successful conduct of this specialized camp within the operational area of Udhampur.
The critical responsibility for executing and overseeing the camp’s successful completion was entrusted to Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, the Northern Command Army Commander, underscoring the mission’s dual purpose: to provide expert medical care while showcasing the compassionate, human face of the Indian Army.
Rooted in its commitment to the nation, the Army has consistently been a forefront pillar in delivering essential medical facilities under the banner of Operation Sadbhavna, driven by an unwavering spirit of nationalism and patriotism.
To guarantee clinical excellence, the Army Chief further directed the highest echelons of military medicine—DGAFMS Surg Vice Admiral, Aarti Sarin and DGMS Army Lieutenant General, C G Muralidharan—to meticulously plan and execute the camp’s operations.
This advanced surgical camp was led by Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra, a globally recognized and exceptionally renowned ophthalmologist in India. As the most highly decorated officer of the Army Medical Corps, his exceptional surgical skill is underscored by the fact that he has also had the distinct honor of operating on two serving Presidents of our nation.
Brigadier Mishra’s clinical leadership was paramount during the camp, where his team successfully performed more than 400 intricate surgeries. This impressive tally included complex procedures for cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal ailments, executed with the invaluable assistance of a highly specialized team of ophthalmologists and dedicated paramedical staff from the Army Hospital (Research & Referral).
The advanced surgical camp, spanning from the Himalayan foothills of Dehradun to the vast plains of Jaipur, then through the greenery of Bagdogra and culminating in the remote villages near Jammu, was a profound demonstration of perseverance, successfully delivering over 2000 sight-restoring surgeries despite overwhelming difficulties.
The dedicated ophthalmologists and their teams faced a continuous logistical battle, meticulously transporting and setting up delicate, high-tech surgical equipment across thousands of Kilometer, often converting rudimentary community halls into sterile operating theatres while grappling with inconsistent power and limited sanitation in far-flung areas.
The monumental effort was compounded by the intense physical and mental fatigue of performing complex, back-to-back procedures on long-neglected “mature” cataracts, requiring immense skill and stamina, all while working quickly to earn the vital trust of remote communities and establish crucial, yet challenging, post-operative follow-up care for every patient.
