Prakash Eye Care opens state-of-the-art eye OPD in Daltonganj
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Daltonganj, August 17: Residents of Palamu district now have access to a state-of-the-art outpatient eye care facility with…
A scene from the inauguration ceremony of Prakash Eye Care in Daltonganj on Monday.
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, August 17: Residents of Palamu district now have access to a state-of-the-art outpatient eye care facility with the opening of Prakash Eye Care OPD in Daltonganj, run by renowned eye surgeon Dr Prakash Parimal.
The new facility was inaugurated on Monday at a simple yet impressive ceremony attended by medical professionals and local dignitaries.
Palamu has a significant burden of cataract, with an estimated prevalence of 23% to 32% among different age groups, according to information shared at the event. The new OPD is expected to improve access to specialised eye care for people in Daltonganj and surrounding areas.
Dr Prakash Parimal said the facility was established with the aim of taking quality eye care closer to people who may not have easy access to even basic healthcare services.
“It’s not just an OPD. It is far more than a department. It is an honest and sincere effort to take eye care to areas beyond even modest healthcare facilities,” he said.
Describing the OPD as a bridge between medical services and the community, Dr Parimal said eye care required a strong connection with the public.
He also highlighted the changing nature of cataract-related problems, saying the condition was no longer limited to elderly people and could also affect newborns.
Eye Surgery to Be Available at Rehla
Dr Parimal said patients requiring eye surgery would be referred to the Prakash Eye Care facility at Rehla, where arrangements for eye surgeries are already available.
He assured that patients advised to undergo surgery would not face transportation difficulties. A transport facility will be provided to take patients from Daltonganj to Rehla and back, he said.
The Daltonganj OPD will be available every Monday, according to the staff.
SDM Represents Palamu DC at Inauguration
Palamu Deputy Commissioner Dilip Pratap Singh Shekhawat was scheduled to inaugurate the facility but could not attend due to a video conference.
He deputed Sub-Divisional Magistrate Sanjay Pandey, who was among the distinguished guests at the event, to convey his best wishes for the success of the new eye care facility.
In his address, Pandey urged the management to ensure that patients and their attendants receive proper and respectful treatment from reception and other support staff.
Need for Professional Eye Care
Daltonganj already has several eye specialists, making the local healthcare sector competitive. Participants at the inauguration said the new OPD would need to maintain high standards of professionalism and patient care to establish itself in the region.
Concerns were also raised about the role of intermediaries or touts in the healthcare sector. Speakers and participants stressed the need for patients to have direct access to qualified medical professionals and transparent healthcare services.
Orthopaedic specialist Dr Arun Shukla recalled his association with Prakash Eye Care at Rehla and said several economically weaker patients had benefited from treatment there on his recommendations.
The inauguration marked the beginning of a new outpatient eye care service in Daltonganj, with the facility expected to provide consultation and help patients access surgical treatment when required.
