Aravind-Madurai, January 5

The symposium was organised by Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai under the aegis of the Madurai Ophthalmologists Association at Hotel Courtyard Marriott.  Dr P Namperumalsamy, Chairman Emeritus, AECS presided over the inaugural function and stressed the importance of evidence based research in clinical practice, accessible and affordable care, especially in chronic diseases like glaucoma. A total of 177 ophthalmologists and postgraduates participated in the symposium. The symposium shed light on practical challenges in cataract management and basics of diagnosis and therapy of glaucoma, relevant to general ophthalmologists.

Aravind-Pondicherry, January 4-5

The symposium had didactic lectures covering a wide variety of topics in pediatric ophthalmology. Prof. Dr. Del Monte, Chief, Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus, Kellogg Eye Centre, University of Michigan;  Dr Pradeep Sharma, Professor and Head, Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus, Dr RP Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, New Delhi and Dr P Vijayalakshmi, Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai were the esteemed faculty. Wet lab session and a competition on most challenging case presentations were arranged. The best three  presentations were awarded. More than 200 people participated in the symposium. Participants paid  tribute to Dr Vijaylakshmi.

Aravind Alumni celebrated the birthday of Dr. Del Monte with a cultural extravaganza on January 4 at Le Pondy. It was followed by  Bharatnatyam and Odissi Jugalbandi by Anish and Swati Raghavan respectively.

Omalur, Salem, January 13

The second Vision Centre of Aravind- Salem and 78th for Aravind Eye Care System was opened at Omalur. The centre was inaugurated by Dr.Manivannan Periyasamy, Founder, Manivannan Hospital, Omalur; Mr.Varadharajan, Bussiness Development Manager, LIC India, Omalur region; Mr.Subramanian, President, Rotary Club in the presence of Dr.B.Manohar Babu, Chief Medical Officer, Aravind-Salem and the team.  On the inaugural day, the centre saw 62 patients. Of these, 19 patients were given glass prescriptions; 13 were referred to the hospital and 5 patients were given medicines.

Aravind-Pondicherry, Januray 19

The programme was conducted for the benefit of doctors other than ophthalmologists in Indian Medical Association (IMA). Wide array of interesting topics in eye care – advances in cataract surgeries, refractive surgeries, pediatric eye diseases, glaucoma, retinopathy of prematurity, diabetic retinopathy and artificial intelligence – were covered. Participants eagerly participated in the Kahoot quiz. Eye examination was performed  for all the participants. Skills transfer courses were conducted on direct/indirect-ophthalmoscope, fundus photography and virtual reality based perimetry.

Aravind-Madurai, January 1

Aravind Eye hospital, Madurai hosted Vaanavil, as part of Residents Social Responsibility programme. The event had an exhibition cum sale of handicrafts made by the visually challenged women from Mannarpuram Rehabilitation centre. The programme received amazing response. A  well organized team effort has resulted in a sale worth 2.75 lakhs

Aravind-Tirunelveli, January 11

Postgraduates of Aravind-Tirunelveli spent a day at Bishop Sargent School for the Mentally Retarded.  The school has been well rated for its quality teaching and infrastructure. Aravind team screened nearly 100 mentally retarded children and provided spectacles for those identified with refractive errors.

Aravind-Pondicherry, January 10-11

Nearly 70 staff from Outreach departments across the Aravind centres participated in the two day programme.  The main objective of the meeting was sharing the performance of outreach, cross  learning, creating a platform to come out with new ideas and strategies, standardizing the practices across Aravind’s base hospitals and reinforcing the Aravind’s culture and values in outreach across the system.

Sivagangai, January 20

Rotary Aravind International Eye Bank (RAIEB), Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai and Government Sivagangai Medical College and Hospital (GSMCH) organised the programme.  Dr.Venkatesh Prajna, Chief, Cornea and Refractive Surgery Services, Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai  was the guest of honour and handed over eye donation awareness boards to GSMCH. Dr.S.Priyadharshini, Asst. Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, GSMCH handled a session on Corneal retrieval and grafting  – A practical overview .  Mr.Saravanan, Manager-RAIEB, Madurai handled a session on eye donation, demand and supply and hospital corneal retrieval programme.

Madurai, December 11

Mr.Saravanan, Manager, Rotary Aravind International Eye Bank, Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai handled an awareness session for the members of Lions Club. He mentioned the importance of  eye donation, community cornea retrieval programme and creating death notification system as well as touched on the role of Lions club in facilitating eye donation. Around 40 members participated.

Aravind-Madurai, January 18-21

January 16 is celebrated as Tiruvalluvar Day all over Tamil Nadu. To commemorate the occasion and to inculcate his thoughts in the present generation, Aravind-Madurai organised a series of competitions – drawing, recitation, quiz, speech, poetry – based on Tiruvalluvar and his most celebrated work, Tirukkural. At the valedictory function, Mr.Siva, Tamil teacher, MC School, Madurai was the chief guest and he gave a motivating talk. Winners of the competitions were awarded prizes.

Aravind, Januray 10-11

The spirit of service at Aravind continues to be fostered not only by the day-to-day work of serving all those in need of eye care but also reaching out to people elsewhere. Every two year, the organisation conducts “Angaadi”, the great charity fest. The event was conceived with the notion of reusing things which people don’t want to use any more.  It provides a platform for the staff to recycle household items, new and old, that would be of value to other staff. Articles ranging from utensils, paintings, artefacts, books, clothes to old electronic gadgets, bags and accessories were sold at the event at a nominal price. Proceeds from the sales are donated to charity.

At Aravind-Madurai, Ms.Premalatha Paneerselvam, Senior Correspondent, Mahatma Schools, Madurai inaugurated Angaadi 2020 in the presence of Dr.G.Natchiar, Director Emeritus, Aravind Eye Care System. Ms.Uma Kannan, Vice President, Thigarajar College, Madurai; Dr.Janet, President – Sorpotimist International; Ms.Jacqueline Verdon, Correspondent, Mahatma School, Ms.Hamsapriya Ganesh, Principal, Mahatma School were also present at the occasion.  At the valedictory function held on January 24 proceeds from Angaadi were donated to three charity institutions – Aishwaryam Trust, Tirunagar; Blessed Kids Special School, Vilangudi; Wish to Help, Tirunagar and a student who is fighting cancer.

Aravind-Pondicherry conducted the event on January 10. Mr.Kanagaraj, Manager – General Administration inaugurated the same.

Aravind-Tirunelveli, January 10

Personnel from Usha Fire Safety and Equipment handled the session.  Around 110 staff including doctors, nurses and admin staff participated in the programme.