Leh, Apr 28 : In a major outreach aimed at tackling preventable blindness in remote Ladakh, Hitesh Bhalla, General Officer Commanding Fire & Fury Corps, on Monday inaugurated Operation Netra 1.0 at Military Hospital Leh, setting in motion a five-day surgical campaign to conduct over 200 free cataract procedures.
The initiative, running from April 26 to April 30, marks the culmination of an extensive three-month groundwork during which Army-led medical teams screened more than 950 individuals across eight far-flung locations, including Tangste, Chushul, Changthang region, Nubra Valley and Kargil. The exercise led to the identification of over 200 patients requiring urgent cataract intervention, now being operated upon under the programme.
Officials said the campaign reflects a structured transition from diagnostic outreach to surgical care, addressing a long-standing gap in specialised ophthalmic services in high-altitude and inaccessible areas.
Lt Gen Bhalla, while inaugurating the programme, lauded the team of ophthalmologists from Army Hospital (Research and Referral) for their sustained commitment and professional excellence. He noted that such initiatives extend beyond routine medical assistance, serving as a lifeline for communities where access to advanced healthcare remains limited.
The programme has drawn active participation from the local health administration. Among those present were Rinchen Chosdol, Yangchen Dolma, and Motup Angmo, underscoring the collaborative approach between civil and military medical services.
Medical experts involved in the drive described Operation Netra as a focused intervention aimed at restoring vision and improving quality of life, particularly among elderly residents in remote belts where cataract prevalence remains high due to harsh climatic conditions and limited screening facilities.
With surgeries now underway at Military Hospital Leh, the initiative is expected to deliver tangible outcomes over the coming days, reinforcing the Army’s expanding role in humanitarian and healthcare outreach across Ladakh’s challenging terrain.
