Melvin Jones Lions Eye Hospital
One person goes blind every five seconds, a child loses vision every minute, and an estimated seven million people become visually handicapped each year globally, according to statistical metrics compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO).
This burden is heavily geographic: nearly 90 percent of the world's visually impaired individuals live in developing countries, and nearly half of that global burden resides directly within India (approximately nine million individuals). Fortunately, 80% of this blindness is completely avoidable, primarily caused by cataracts, which can be easily treated to restore normal vision through surgery. Keeping this in view, the Lions Club of Cuttack established the Melvin Jones Lions Eye Hospital at Khalasi Lane, Buxi Bazar, Cuttack to deliver basic eye care and critical surgical treatments to the people of Odisha.
Free Eye Screening Camps
Free eye screening camps are conducted regularly in remote and rural areas across Odisha. Patients identified as requiring cataract surgeries are brought to the hospital using our dedicated transport vehicles. Post-surgery, they are transported back safely. These surgical operations, alongside boarding and food, are provided entirely free of charge.
Students' Vision Screening Programme
Our specialized clinical team conducts scheduled visits to local schools to perform thorough eye screenings for students. We provide prescription glasses and treatment for general ophthalmic ailments completely free of charge.
Treatment Under GJAY (BPL Schemes)
Cardholders under the Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana (GJAY) falling below the poverty line (BPL) receive complete treatment at our center without any payment. Till date, we have proudly performed 1,556 free Phaco-Cataract surgeries alongside other miscellaneous surgeries for GJAY cardholders.
Cumulative Performance Overview
Our OPD section was first opened in June 1998, and our surgical theater was fully commissioned in August 1999. In the period leading up to September 30, 2017, a cumulative total of 500,183 patients were diagnosed in our OPD. During this timeframe, cataract operations reached 45,388, alongside 8,029 miscellaneous eye surgeries.
Future Horizon & Outreach
We have active strategic plans to establish a dedicated Retina Section, an advanced Research Centre, and a local Eye Bank. I extend my sincere thanks to the members of the Lions Club of Cuttack, LCIF, and Cuttack's citizens for their support. Until our vision of a Cataract-Free Odisha is achieved, we will continue our crusade. While most general medical services globally require financial payment, at Melvin Jones Lions Eye Hospital, money is never a prerequisite for sight.