Aravind’s latest expansion of its infrastructure at Tirunelveli is a significant boost to eye care services in the southern region of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring state. Since its inception in 1988 in Tirunelveli, the hospital has witnessed steady growth in terms of patient care. Last year, it treated over 585 thousand patients and performed over 58 thousand surgeries within the space of 1,47,858 sq. ft. This new six-storey building sprawling at 1,68,056 sq. ft with a capacity of 14 new operating theatres, 4 Outpatient units and other amenities can accommodate a larger number of patients and comfortably meet the region’s growing demand for eye care services.

Awards and accolades provide institutions with the drive to pursue their goals with greater energy and enthusiasm. Recently, the Delhi Commission for Protection of Children’s Rights recognised Aravind with the Children’s Champion Award for the year 2023. This prestigious award acknowledges Aravind’s comprehensive initiatives and services in the field of paediatric ophthalmology and its determination to bring about positive change in the lives of visually impaired children.

Aravind’s mission extends beyond providing eye care to those in need. Significant work goes into creating awareness about various eye diseases, such as glaucoma, which is a leading cause of preventable, irreversible blindness worldwide. During the World Glaucoma Week in the month of March, several programmes were held across all Aravind Eye Hospitals to raise awareness among people about this debilitating disease.

News about these and many more feature in this issue.