Aravind-Madurai, October 1

Aravind Eye Care System honored Dr. Narsing A Rao, Grace and Emery Beardsley Professor of Ophthalmology and Co-Director, Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles with the Dr.G.Venkataswamy Memorial Award 2021. The award was given in recognition of his contribution towards teaching, training and improving the quality and outcomes of uveitis care in Aravind and worldwide. Dr. Rao delivered the Dr.G.Venkataswamy Memorial Oration on ‘Role of RPE in the modulation of intraocular inflammation, infection and lymphomas – Clinical implications.’

At the function held virtually, Dr.R.D.Ravindran, Chairman, Aravind Eye Care System (AECS) delivered the welcome address. Dr.P.Namperumalsamy, Chairman Emeritus, AECS presented the award to Dr. Rao in the presence of Dr.G.Natchiar, Director Emeritus,  AECS; Dr.R.D.Ravindran; Mr. Thulasiraj Ravilla, Director-Operations, AECS And Dr.S.R.Rathinam, Chief, Uveitis Services, Aravind-Madurai. Dr.G.Natchiar presented the citation.  Dr. J. Martin Heur, Chair, Ophthalmology Department, USC-Roski Eye Institute handed over the award and citation to Dr. Rao.

Watch Dr. G. Venkataswamy Memorial Oration 2021 by Dr. Rao

September

Eye banks across Aravind centres organised programmes to spread awareness on eye donation and to motivate people to support this noble cause. Awareness sessions were organised virtually for targeted groups and eye donation pledge movements were initiated. Eye donation awareness messages were displayed in the hospital premises and public places. Senior doctors gave talks on FM Channels highlighting the need for eye donation. Videos featuring celebrities endorsing eye were circulated through various social media.

Aravind-Chennai, September 17

Smart Vision Spectacles is an assistive wearable device specifically designed for people with blindness or uncorrectable visually impairment.

Rotary Club of Madras East (RCME) initiated Project Drishti and has been instrumental in bringing together the brains behind the Smart Vision Spectacles – Mr.Ramu Muthangi of SHG Technologies and Aravind Eye Care System. What ensued was a 10-month long process of inputs and revisions and the device has been validated and recommended by the Vision Rehabilitation Centre of Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai.

At a function held at Aravind-Chennai, Rtn J Sridhar the Governor, District 3232 distributed the device to 17 identified beneficiaries, free of cost. RCME plans to donate 300 devices, with a focus on students and the youth amongst the visually impaired.

Aravind-Chennai, September 14

Aravind Eye Hospital, Chennai organised a function to launch the book, Madras Inked…Impressions of an artist and an architect. Penned by Mr.Manohar Devadoss and Ms.Sujatha Shankar, the book celebrates the rich culture and heritage of the great city, Chennai. The book has drawings of various iconic buildings and landscapes in Chennai – all done by Mr.Manohar over six decades.

Dr.S.Aravind, Chief Medical Officer, Aravind-Chennai welcomed the guests and briefed on Aravind’s long-term relationship with Mr.Manohar Devadoss. One of the authors, Ms.Sujatha Shankar, an architect by profession and Convenor of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, Chennai Chapter, shared insights about the book.  Ms.Deborah Thiagarajan, Founder Dakshina Chitra Heritage Museum released the book and copy was received by the special guests – Dr Ashokan, Consultant, Gem Hospital, Chennai and artists – Mr.Trotsky Marudhu and Mr.Muthu Palaniappan. Mr.Manohar reflected on his life journey with his wife, Mahema and also shared his thoughts about the book.

Mr.Thulasiraj Ravilla, Executive Director – Lions Aravind Institute of Community Ophthalmology and Director – Operations of Aravind Eye Care System delivered the vote of thanks.

Aravind-Pondicherry, September 24

Department of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus observed Amblyopia Day with various programmes and about 20 children with amblyopia participated. Dr.K.Veena, Chief of the department gave a talk on common paediatric eye diseases, amblyopia and the role of patching in the management of amblyopia to the parents. Children actively participated in the various sports competitions and prizes were distributed. Eye examination was done for all children and patches were given.  A pack of dictionary and activity books was presented as a gift to the children.

Aravind-Coimbatore, September 25

Aravind Eye Hospital, Coimbatore organised the CME to reiterate the importance of good practices to ensure patient safety and reduce hospital surgical infection. Dr.Kalpana Narendran, Senior Medical Officer, Aravind-Coimbatore gave an overview of the CME. Topics focused on the vital and essential concepts of Central Sterile Supplies Department (CSSD) and included video demonstrations. All the sessions were held in Tamil for easy understanding of allied ophthalmic personnel. This was also an opportunity to share the best practices and standardize these across the system. The staff of CSSD and OT departments from all Aravind Eye Hospitals participated in this virtual CME which was moderated by Dr.Lalitha Prajna, Chief, Microbiology Lab, Aravind-Madurai; Dr.D.Chandrasekhar, Medical Consultant, Aravind-Coimbatore and Dr.Kalpana Narendran.

Aravind-Kovilpatti, September 29

Aravind-Kovilpatti completed two years of its service in restoring sight to the needy. Dr.R Ramakrishnan, Advisor, Aravind-Tirunelveli; Ms.Saradha Ramakrishnan and Dr.Meenakshi, Chief Medical Officer, Aravind-Tirunelveli were invited as chief guests for the annual day function.   From Aravind-Tirunelveli;  Sr.V.Arumugam, Nursing Superintendent; Ms.Lakshmi R, Manager – HR; Mr.Vikky Kumar, Quality and IP Manager; Mr.Mohan, Photographer; Sr.Kalaiselvi – Housekeeping Tutor and a few MLOPs attended the function.

The celebration started with a prayer song followed by Dr.Aswin, In-charge, Aravind-Kovilpatti welcoming the gathering. He gave an update on the activities of the past year. Dr.R.Ramakrishnan and Dr.Meenakshi gave inspiring talks and congratulated the team led by Dr.Aswin for the good work being done at Aravind-Kovilpatti. Cultural programmes that followed entertained the audience. Mr.Chandran, Manager, Aravind-Kovilpatti also gave a short, motivating talk.  Dr.Anju, Medical Consultant proposed the vote and thanks. Sr.Prasanna, Medical Records Department was the master of the ceremony.