Aizawl: Mizoram has recorded an impressive 9,231 eye donation pledges, with 593 successful corneal transplants completed to date, according to officials at the 40th National Eye Donation Fortnight Programme held yesterday at the Health Worker Training School, Kulikawn.
The state-level programme was led by Dr. Lily Chhakchhuak, Mission Director of the National Health Mission under the Health & Family Welfare Department, who served as the chief guest. The event was chaired by Dr. Lalnuntluangi Khiangte, State Programme Officer of the National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment (NPCB&VI), who opened the event by expressing gratitude to all those contributing to the progress of eye donation in the state.
In her address, Dr. Lily Chhakchhuak highlighted Mizoram’s significant milestones in the field. She noted that the Mizoram Eye Bank was established on July 31, 2008, at Civil Hospital, Aizawl, and that the first corneal transplant using donated eyes was successfully conducted on September 25, 2009. This operation marked a turning point in eye care in the state and was carried out in collaboration with Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya in Guwahati and Eye Care Hospital, Aizawl. She added that the Mizoram Eye Bank is a member of the Eye Bank Association of India and operates under the legal framework of the Transplantation of Human Organ Act, 2011.
So far, 9,231 individuals have pledged to donate their eyes, and 391 patients are currently registered as awaiting transplants. A total of 593 corneal transplants have been successfully performed through various medical institutions including Civil Hospital Aizawl, Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya, Eye Care Hospital Aizawl, and Synod Hospital.
Dr. Chhakchhuak called upon the public to consider eye donation as a powerful act of giving, capable of restoring sight to the blind. She explained that eyes must be retrieved within six hours of a donor’s death and emphasized the importance of informing family members in advance. She also encouraged people to reach out to the eye bank through its 24×7 contact numbers: 9436354701 (Toll-Free) or 0389-2324564.
Mimi Zodinthari, Eye Donation Counsellor at the Mizoram Eye Bank, presented a technical report during the event, where she discussed the importance of eye donation, eligibility for donors, and clarified common misconceptions about the process.
Certificates of appreciation were awarded to families of past eye donors. In addition, 42 health worker trainees pledged to donate their eyes, committing themselves to the cause of restoring sight to others in need.
Mizoram continues to stand out as one of the top 15 states in India actively supporting and promoting eye donation. The National Eye Donation Fortnight is observed annually from August 25 to September 8, with the goal of raising awareness and increasing pledges across the country.
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