EYE DONATION FORTNIGHT
(25th August – 8th September 2025)
Department of Ophthalmology, HIMSR & HAHC Hospital, New Delhi
As part of the national observance of Eye Donation Fortnight 2025, the Department of Ophthalmology organized a series of academic, community awareness, and health care givers engagement activities to promote the noble cause of eye donation.
The aim of these activities was to sensitize the community, healthcare professionals, and resident doctors about the importance of eye donation, to dispel myths, and to encourage pledging for corneal donation.
The fortnight also aimed to promote & encourage eye donation through the Hospital Corneal Retrieval Centre at HAHC Hospital which functions in collaboration with Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, New Delhi.
An ongoing awareness campaign on the role of healthcare professionals in eye donation and training of healthcare staff in counselling of the grieving families to encourage eye donation was also initiated. Informative pamphlets, posters, talks, CME sessions & street plays were utilized as part of this initiative.
Day-wise Summary of Activities
Tuesday, 26th August 2025
LT-1, HIMSR
- The activities commenced with an Invited Talk on “Corneal Transplantation: Revolution in Evolution” by Namrata Sharma, Professor, R.P. Centre, AIIMS, New Delhi.
- The session highlighted the advances in corneal transplantation techniques and their role in restoring vision.
- Dr Sharma emphasized that with the new surgical techniques a single donor cornea can restore sight in up to three corneal blind individuals.
Wednesday, 27th August 2025
Urban Health Training Centre, Pul Prahalad Pur
- A sensitization & educational program was organised for the local community focusing on myths & facts of corneal donation, steps to take at the time of eye donation.
- The details of corneal retrieval centre at HAHC Hospital was also shared through distribution of pamphlets.
- A free eye check-up was also carried out at the centre.
- The activity engaged the local population and emphasized the need for community participation in eye donation.
Thursday, 28th August 2025
- A public awareness session on Eye Donation was held in the Reception Area, OPD Block A, where patients and attendants were informed about the procedure and benefits of corneal donation.
- The session aimed to educate patients, attendants, and hospital visitors abot how the process works, and how individuals can pledge to become donors.
- It served as an important platform for raising awareness and clearing misconceptions surrounding eye donation.
Friday, 29th August 2025
- An activity similar to UHTC was carried out at the Rural Health Training Centre, Madanpur Khadar, targeting rural communities to spread awareness and dispel misconceptions about eye donation.
Saturday, 30th August 2025
- A Poster-Making Competition was organized in the Ophthalmology Department where undergraduate medical students showcased creative posters with the theme of eye donation.
- The competition encouraged students to express their creativity and advocacy through visually impactful posters promoting the message of eye donation.
- The event served as a platform to engage young minds in the cause and spread awareness through art and design.
- The event promoted peer-to-peer awareness among students.
Tuesday, 2nd September 2025
- An Eye Donation Promotion Drive was conducted at the Reception, New OPD Block B, eye OPD.
- Interactive sessions with patients and staff highlighted the significance of pledging for eye donation.
- A role play was enacted by the residents demonstrating counselling techniques for healthcare providers to encourage eye donation among grieving families.
Wednesday, 3rd September 2025
LT-1, HIMSR
Culminating the activities during the fortnight
- CME on “The Role of Healthcare Professionals in Eye Donation and Grief Counselling” was held in LT-1, HIMSR, from 2:00–3:00 PM
- Dr. Manisha Acharya, Director – Cornea & Eye Banking Services, Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, New Delhi delivered a talk on “Mission Eye Donation”. Acharya emphasized the critical role healthcare professionals play in facilitating eye donation and supporting grieving families.
- The event celebrated & acknowledge the contributions of health care professionals, donors & their families—-The Everyday Superheroes Who Restore Sight!
- Prizes & certificates were also presented to the winners of the poster competition.
Key Highlights
- Expert Talks by National Leaders in Ophthalmology and Eye Banking enriched knowledge and inspired action
- Community Outreach Programs reached both urban and rural populations, emphasizing the inclusive approach of HIMSR.
- Poster Competition engaged students creatively, helping promote the message within the institute. Role Play Performances provided an emotionally impactful medium to connect with patients and visitors.
- Inter-departmental coordination was commendable, reflecting strong institutional support and teamwork.
Outcomes & Impact
- First Therapeutic Penetrating Keratoplasty at HAHC Hospital was performed.
- Significant increase in awareness among students, faculty, hospital staff, and local communities.
- Initiated conversations on grief counselling and emotional support for donor families – a critical but often overlooked area.
- Positive feedback from participants and stakeholders, with suggestions to expand the campaign’s duration and outreach.
The Department of Ophthalmology will remain committed to promoting the cause of eye donation and contributing to the elimination of avoidable corneal blindness extending its efforts well beyond the eye donation fortnight.
Acknowledgments
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Honourable CEO, HIMSR, Dr G N Qazi, a source of inspiration and direction for all of us, Dean & Principal HIMSR, Dr Musharraf Husain for his unwavering support at each and every step.
We acknowledge Professor and head department of Community Medicine Dr. Farzana Islam for helping us out in organising the sensitization & educational program for community at UHTC & RHTC. We appreciate the presence of Dr. Sabina Khan, Dr. Neelima and Dr. Seema as judges of Poster making competition, all faculty members, coordinators, student volunteers, housekeeping staff, and administrative personnel who made this event a success.
Dr (Prof) Taskin Khan Dr Monika Kapur
Convener Organising Secretary
Dr Fatima Munshi
Joint Organising Secretary
