Heartening story of a child Jigra (female 6 months) as told by her father.
I am Bablu, I live in Sarai Kali in Bullandshahr District of Uttar Pradesh. There are five members in my family- my father, wife and me, one 3 years old son and one daughter (Jigra). I am a labourer and earn Rs. 200-300 in a day which helps me to feed my family. My son Aljam born in 2014 with bilateral cataract since birth, which we realized when he was about 6 months old. We took him to the Government hospital in Bullandshahr. The doctors diagnosed it as congenital cataract in both eyes and referred him to All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in New Delhi. Then I took him to AIIMS, where doctors told me that he needs surgery with Intra-ocular lens and the expenditure would be Rs. 14,000 to Rs. 15,000/-. I did not have any money so I told the doctor that I will go back and arrange money for the same and come back. Since we did not have any savings we decided to sell my wife’s jewellery. After a month or so we reported back to AIIMS and got the surgery done. Till now we have to report for the follow-up periodically and the bus fare from my home to hospital is not always easy to pay.
Now after Jigra was born in March 2016 we notice that she has a similar problem. First being a female gender than being blind was a great worry for the family. This time we did not have any money or jewellery to sell. The money I earn is spent on daily expenditure. Due to my limitations I could not take my daughter to any doctor for six months.
One day I met a friend on the road and told him my problem. He advised me to take her to Bullandshahr where every Saturday there an eye camp is being conducted and he got his cataract surgery done free of cost. He also said that they provide free transportation, stay, food even surgery. After hearing all this I was happy that there is some hope in this world for people like me.
I came to the camp on Saturday at Bullandshshr and came to ICARE Eye Hospital in their ambulance. When doctor here advised me that Jigra needs surgery in both eyes. I asked doctor Sir I do not have money for surgery. He told me do not worry, your child’s surgery will be done free of cost. I immediately agreed for the surgery. Jigra was examined and posted for surgery after detailed investigations including pre anaesthesia check-up. Her right eye surgery was done on 24.08.16 and subsequently left eye was operated on 31.08.16. Now my daughter can see with her both eyes. We are very happy today. The way I was told by my friend I found everything were the same. Our transport, food, stays and surgery was all done free. For this I am very grateful to ICARE, doctors and its staff and convey my heartfelt thanks to the whole ICARE family.