• Health Minister launches 40th National Eye Donation Fortnight
CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 25:
With an aim to spread awareness about the importance of eye donation and bridge the critical shortage of corneas for transplantation, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr. Balbir Singh today launched the 40th National Eye Donation Fortnight, observed from August 25 to September 8, 2025.
While urging citizens to come forward to pledge their eyes, the Heath Minister cited that approximately 1.1 million people in India suffer from corneal blindness. Each year, around 25,000 new cases are added, further straining the already limited resources. The country requires over 100,000 corneal transplants annually, but only about 25,000 to 40,000 transplants are performed. He said that one donation can give sight to two corneal blind individuals, ultimately working towards a corneal blindness-free nation. The initiative aims to educate the masses through intensified Information, Education, and Communication activities across the state.
Dr. Balbir Singh eloquently framed eye donation as a profound legacy, highlighting its transformative impact. “Eye donation is a miracle of modern medicine where a single decision can liberate two individuals from darkness,” he said while emphasising that this selfless act enables someone to experience the world in a meaningful way, even after the donor is gone. By giving the gift of sight, donors allow recipients to reconnect with loved ones, enjoy simple pleasures and experience life’s beauty.
“We have skilled surgeons, the technology, and the infrastructure, what we lack are the donors. This fortnight is our dedicated mission to fill that gap,” Dr. Balbir Singh stated, while noting that Punjab is well-equipped with 10 registered eye banks and 21 transplant centres, which performed an impressive 985 successful keratoplasties last year.
Explaining the procedure for eye donation, Dr. Balbir Singh highlighted the crucial role of family support. After pledging their eyes, donors must inform their family members to ensure a smooth process. In the event of the donor’s death, the family should promptly contact the nearest eye bank. It is essential that the corneas are collected within 6 hours to maintain their viability for transplantation. By following these steps, families can help facilitate the donation process and enable the gift of sight for those in need.
Dr. Hitinder Kaur, Director of Health and Family Welfare, outlined the plans for the National Eye Donation Fortnight. As part of the initiative, teams across Punjab will undertake an intensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) drive. The focus will be on directly addressing and dispelling common myths, superstitions, and misconceptions surrounding eye donation. By empowering people with accurate information, the campaign aims to encourage individuals to make informed decisions about pledging their eyes for donation, ultimately contributing to the noble cause of restoring sight to those in need. The campaign will focus on key messages: anyone can be a donor irrespective of age, sex, blood group or religion , the process does not cause disfigurement, and it is entirely free for the donor’s family.
Dr. Neeti Singla of NPCBVI informed that detailed guidelines have been issued to all the Civil Surgeons of Punjab to organise various IEC activities. She further stated that eyes can be can pledged on the NOTTO website(https://notto.abdm.gov.in/) and the pledge certificate can be downloaded after pledge.
