Srinagar, September 30: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said ‘Op Drishti’ represents the Indian Army’s commitment to service, courage and determination, while helping improve access to specialised healthcare in remote and border areas.
Addressing the closing ceremony of Phase-II of the Mega Cataract Surgery Camp under ‘Op Drishti’ at Chinar Auditorium, Badami Bagh Cantonment, Sinha said the initiative was much more than a medical camp.
He appreciated the Army, doctors, medical teams and support staff for taking advanced eye care to people living in difficult and inaccessible areas.
Sinha expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the Army Chief and the medical teams involved in the initiative.
According to the Lieutenant Governor, 446 surgeries have been conducted under ‘Op Drishti’, including at Tangdhar in Kupwara, where Army and medical teams treated residents of the border area.
Highlighting the challenges involved, Sinha said difficult terrain, poor road connectivity and the risk of shelling made it challenging to provide specialised medical services in border areas.
He noted that medical teams led by Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra conducted surgeries at an underground operation theatre in Tangdhar, with necessary equipment and medical tools airlifted to the area.
Sinha said the initiative enabled residents from adjoining areas to access advanced treatment, with many receiving such specialised healthcare for the first time.
He also said that more than 1.5 lakh eye screenings had been conducted under the campaign, taking eye-care facilities to people in remote locations.
Describing the initiative as an effort to restore vision and dignity, Sinha said the treatment provided under ‘Op Drishti’ had brought renewed hope to many patients.
He further said the campaign had strengthened the connection between the Army and local communities, particularly in difficult and border areas.
The Lieutenant Governor thanked pilots, Air Force personnel, doctors, medical teams, support staff and everyone involved in organising the camps.
Sinha said the conclusion of the current camp should not mark the end of the initiative and expressed hope that ‘Op Drishti’ would continue reaching villages and remote communities, ensuring access to quality healthcare despite geographical and logistical challenges.
