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In a landmark step towards providing world-class eye care, Honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, inaugurated the R Jhunjhunwala Sankara Eye Hospital on October 20th 2024 at Varanasi. This state-of-the-art facility has been established with the support of the Rakesh Jhunjhunwala Family and Sankara Eye Foundation, USA, under the aegis of Sankara Eye Foundation India (SEFI). The event was graced by the presence of Honorable Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Smt. Anandiben Patel, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Shri Yogi Adityanath, and Jagadguru Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, along with key dignitaries from Sankara Eye Foundation and Board of Trustees, Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Medical Trust.
The R Jhunjhunwala Sankara Eye Hospital, spanning 126,000 sq. Ft is designed to conduct 30,000 free eye surgeries annually for the economically weaker sections, operating on a unique cross-subsidization model. Under this model, 75% of the patients will receive free treatment, funded by revenues from the remaining 25% of paying patients.
The hospital will cater to patients across eight districts of Uttar Pradesh, including Varanasi, and will extend services to Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar. Equipped with nine modern operation theatres and cutting-edge technology, the hospital will provide treatment in multiple specialties, including Cataract, Cornea, Retina, Glaucoma, Pediatric Ophthalmology, Oculoplasty, and Corneal Transplantation.
Sankara Eye Hospital’s initiatives for Uttar Pradesh include the ‘Gift of Vision’ program, which provides free eye care services, including transportation, surgeries, medications, and post-operative care. Additionally, the ‘Rainbow’ preventive eye care program for school children and ‘Netra Yagna’ for students in Varanasi District will be implemented.
With over 6.7 million patients screened and more than 2.6 million surgeries performed across India, Sankara Eye Foundation is at the forefront of revolutionizing eye care accessibility. The organization operates 14 super-specialty hospitals across multiple states and remains committed to its mission of eradicating avoidable blindness through cutting-edge technology, research, and a strong community-driven approach.
