Jammu, Nov 22 (NationPress) The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, expressed his admiration for the invaluable contributions and services provided by the Armed Forces in the Union Territory. L-G Sinha was present at the concluding event of 'Operation Drishti', a significant eye camp held at the Command Hospital in Udhampur, where the Defence Minister and Chief of Army Staff joined the proceedings virtually from Delhi.

According to Lt Colonel Suneel Bartwal, spokesperson for the Defence Ministry, Operation Drishti was a groundbreaking, four-day eye camp organized by the Command Hospital, Northern Command, in partnership with a surgical team from the Army Hospital Research and Referral in New Delhi, under the direction of HQ Northern Command and the Armed Forces Medical Services. The camp wrapped up with a formal closing ceremony attended by Manoj Sinha, the esteemed LG of J&K. Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, GOC-in-C Northern Command, extended a warm welcome to L-G and other dignitaries.

During the ceremony, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the Northern Command and the Armed Forces Medical Services for their commitment to providing timely medical assistance and top-notch eye care to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir.

Chief of Army Staff Gen Upendra Dwivedi, who also addressed the audience virtually, congratulated the Armed Forces Medical Services and Northern Command for their what he termed a “unique initiative.” The Defence statement reported that the camp exceeded expectations, with screenings conducted for over 2,000 individuals and more than 400 surgical procedures performed for patients who traveled from remote areas such as Udhampur, Doda, Rajouri, Poonch, Kishtwar, and Ramban.

The surgical team, led by Brigadier S.K. Mishra, a distinguished ophthalmic surgeon and Head of Department at the Army Hospital Research and Referral in New Delhi, utilized advanced equipment and high-quality intraocular lenses, as stated in the Defence Ministry's report. Brig. Mishra, who has performed surgeries on two Presidents of India, highlighted that the equipment used was among the finest available worldwide. Apart from cataract surgeries, patients were also screened and treated for glaucoma and retinal conditions, benefiting many individuals from remote areas who usually struggle to access specialized medical services.

The initiative was meticulously planned and executed in “mission mode” by Northern Command, under the supervision of L-G Manoj Sinha, the Defence Minister, and the Chief of Army Staff. Notably, the surgical team and equipment were transported by an Indian Air Force aircraft, showcasing effective inter-service collaboration. Many beneficiaries expressed their gratitude towards the Army, while Army officials referred to the services as a token of appreciation for public support during Operation Sindoor.

The closing ceremony featured comments from Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, GOC-in-C Northern Command, who expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Defence, local administration, and Army Headquarters for their assistance. L-G Manoj Sinha applauded the efforts and presented spectacles to several beneficiaries, while also honoring the surgical team from the Army Hospital Research & Referral.

Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), also spoke at the event, noting that cataracts continue to be a leading cause of blindness and reaffirming the organization’s dedication to delivering quality healthcare in remote areas. She thanked the Defence Minister and the Chief of Army Staff for their unwavering support.

Maj Gen S. Sharma, Commandant of Command Hospital Northern Command, concluded the event with a vote of thanks, recognizing the support from government agencies, Directorate General of Armed Forces Medical Services, Army Headquarters, and Northern Command. The event concluded with a heartfelt interaction between the L-G and the eye camp beneficiaries, as reported by the spokesperson.