- विज्ञापन -
Patna: The Bihar government has partnered with the Sankara Eye Foundation to create a state-of-the-art eye hospital in the capital city, Patna. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Sanjay Kumar Singh, Secretary of the Health Department, and Padma Shri Dr. R.B. Ramani, Managing Director of Sankara Eye Foundation India, with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in attendance.
The new facility will offer free treatment to 75% of its patients, specifically targeting individuals with an annual income of less than Rs 2.5 lakh, while others will be required to pay for services. This initiative is designed to improve access to advanced eye care for economically disadvantaged populations in the area.
Under the agreement, the Bihar government has allocated 1.6 acres of land to the Sankara Eye Foundation India at a nominal cost of Rs 1 for 99 years. In a previous cabinet meeting, the government also approved Rs 48 crore to facilitate the transfer of this land from the Bihar State Housing Board to the Health Department.
The hospital, set to be a super-specialty facility named Shankara Netralaya, is expected to be completed within 18 months. The Coimbatore-based Sankara Eye Foundation, renowned for its expertise in ophthalmology, will oversee the project.
Health Minister Mangal Pandey hailed the collaboration as a notable success, attributing the swift action of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to an initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Once operational, the hospital aims to provide world-class eye care services, meeting a crucial need for advanced ophthalmological treatments, including retina detachment and eye cancer, thereby benefiting countless residents in Bihar.
The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Water Resource Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, and Development Commissioner Pratyay Amrit, who welcomed the Chief Minister and other guests.
