Dr S Natrajan along with his team have performed 46 surgeries in Srinagar's SMHS hospital.
Highlights
- Dr S Natrajan and his team is in Kashmir to help people with eye injuries
- In 3 days, they have performed 46 operations
- 210 people with eye injuries are admitted in Srinagar's SMHS hospital
Moved by the plight of young people in Kashmir who suffered pellet injuries in their eyes, India's leading retina surgeon Dr S Natrajan is in Srinagar. Over the last three days, the Padma awardee and his team have performed 46 surgeries in Srinagar's SMHS hospital, where over 200 people are admitted.
Dr Natrajan, who has served in several conflict zones across the world, says he has never seen a situation where so many people are liable to lose their eyesight.
"We are keeping our fingers crossed," the doctor said, explaining that it has been possible to repair the damages when the pellets have penetrated the side of the eye. "Where the pellets have gone through the centre of the eye, they have caused more damage," he said.
The use of pellet guns by the police and security forces to quell the three-week-long protests that started since the killing of Hizbul militant Burhan Wani, has become controversial. The Centre has formed an expert committee to examine the use pellet guns.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has hailed the efforts of Dr Natrajan and his team for helping the ophthalmic surgeons at SMHS hospital who have carried out 173 preliminary procedures and surgeries. So far, 210 patients with eye related injuries were admitted to the SMHS hospital, an official spokesman said.
Dr Natrajan said he and his team came from Mumbai to Kashmir after they were informed about the plight the victims by a Pune-based non-profit NGO
"We explained what is happening and within one minute, Dr Natrajan said 'I'm accompanying you with my team," said Rishikesh from the Borderless World Foundation.
Dr Natrajan was all praise for local doctors for handling such a difficult situation. "I have been to all conflict areas in the world. I haven't seen such a situation anywhere," he said
Over the last three weeks, 49 people have been killed in clashes with security forces and more than 2,500 people have been injured. The Valley had been under lockdown and curfew and internet services had been suspended.