“61-year-old man’s eye donation made possible by the promptness of BMHRC staff”

CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: “If any work is done with honesty and dedication, success is certain. Additionally, if the general public is inspired for a noble cause, they will support you in completing that task as a mission. Both of these things came true at Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre (BMHRC), where the tireless efforts of an employee from the ophthalmology department, Naresh Teerthani, made the eye donation of 61-year-old Namdev Gaikwad, who had passed away, possible. His eyes were transplanted to another visually impaired person in need. BMHRC honored the family of the late Gaikwad for their cooperation in this noble act.

Mr. Naresh Teerthani shared that while passing by the hospital’s mortuary, he noticed a hearse standing there. Near it stood 39-year-old Gautam Gaikwad, immersed in grief. Upon speaking with Gautam, it was revealed that his father, Mr. Namdev Gaikwad, had passed away early in the morning due to a heart-related illness, and they were now taking the body home.

When asked about eye donation, Gautam expressed his lack of knowledge on the matter. Naresh counseled him, explaining the importance of eye donation and how his father’s eyes could live on, potentially giving sight to at least two people and bringing light into their lives. Gautam mentioned that he would discuss it with his family members.

Meanwhile, Naresh contacted Seva Sadan Eye Hospital to complete the necessary formalities for the donation and informed his department head, Dr. Hemlata Yadav. During the next hour, Naresh made additional efforts to counsel the family over the phone. Eventually, the elder son, Mr. Santosh Gaikwad, consulted with the elders in the family and agreed to the eye donation about 15 minutes later.

Dr. Hemlata Yadav shared that to ensure the donation happened in time, they coordinated with Seva Sadan Hospital management and ophthalmologist Dr. Prerna Upadhyay. Thanks to their cooperation, the Seva Sadan Hospital team arrived at their home in less than an hour and safely extracted both corneas. Both of Mr. Gaikwad’s eyes have since been transplanted to two different visually impaired individuals.

Eye bank to start soon: Professor Dr. Anjali Sharma of BMHRC’s ophthalmology department mentioned that the hospital would soon be starting an eye bank. Ninety percent of the work is complete, and only one essential machine is awaited. It is expected that permission to start the eye bank will be granted very soon.”