Madurai, August 25-September 8
23rd Eye Donation Fortnight was observed from August 25 to September 8. During these two weeks Rotary Aravind International Eye Bank did various programs within and outside the hospital.
Many Posters and Banners were displayed inside the hospital in the crowded areas like Outpatient registration, Free Hospital, P.G. Hostel, Unit 1 and 2, Canteen etc. Banners were displayed in the Free Hospital as well as in the main hospital.
Posters were displayed outside the hospital in Indian Overseas Bank and Post Office to depict the need and importance of eye donation and Posters, Eye Donation Awareness CD were distributed to the Lions clubs.
Writings on the need and importance of eye donation were published in Newspapers and Cinema Slides explaining Eye Donation were distributed to the Madurai cinema theatres to create awareness about eye donation. In BSNL Phone Bills Eye Donation Message and our Hospital Number were printed to create awareness among public and Short Message Services (SMS) were sent about significance of eye donations to all the BSNL Mobile phone subscribers. Letters were sent to all the Lions Clubs explaining the importance of Fortnight celebration and the activities to be done in this period.
Eye Donation Awareness Rally
Eye Donation Awareness Rally was conducted by Rotary club of Rajapalayam. The function was inaugurated by Dr. M. Sivagami, Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai on August 25. A total of 900 students participated in this rally.
Aravind IOB Eye Bank, Coimbatore
Eye Donation Fortnight was observed at Aravind IOB Eye Bank-Coimbatore from August 25 to September 8. Eye Donation Awareness Rally was held to create awareness among public. A total of 450 college students participated in this rally. A Live Program presented by Dr. Siddharthan on ‘Eye Donation’ was broadcast by the All India Radio. Dr. Sathya Rakha delivered a talk on Eye deceases and Eye Donation in the All India Radio.
In order to create awareness among public, doctors at Aravind-Coimbatore delivered special lectures at various colleges. Dr. Siva Jothi took the seminar session on Eye Donation at SNR College as part of creating awareness among them. Dr. Kalaivani took the session on Eye Donation at Kumaran College, Tirupur, Dr. Srishankar took a seminar on Eye Donation and Eye Diseases at Ramakrishna College, Dr. Sivajothi took the Eye Donation seminar at Gobi Arts and Science College. Dr. Revathi took the seminar on Eye Donation and Hospital Cornea Retrieval Program for MSW and NSS students. Dr. Jothi took the seminar on Eye Donation at SNR College. Eye donation card was worn by all Aravind staff.