Nanritam: a medical NGO restoring vision and restoring lives

CATARACTS are a common age-related eye condition that is the focus of this medical NGO which serves marginalized communities in West Bengal. Cataracts pose a significant threat to the vision and overall well-being of the elderly. In India, where the prevalence of cataracts is notably high, the medical NGO Nanritam has been working tirelessly since its inception in 2002 to bring eye care services to underserved communities, particularly in the remote villages of West Bengal. This blog explores what cataracts are, sheds light on the prevalence of this condition in India and delves into the remarkable efforts of Nanritam and its ongoing fundraiser aimed at providing free cataract surgeries to the elderly in need. 

Understanding cataracts

The medical NGO Nanritam explains that a cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, leading to blurred or foggy vision. While cataracts are often associated with aging, they can also result from injury, certain medications or underlying health conditions. The clouding occurs as proteins in the lens clump together over time, diminishing the clarity of vision. Experts from the medical NGO go on to explain that if left untreated, cataracts can progress to the point of causing significant visual impairment or even complete blindness.

Prevalence of cataracts in India

India bears a substantial burden of visual impairment due to cataracts. Factors such as genetics, exposure to ultraviolet rays and inadequate access to eye care contribute to the high prevalence of cataracts in the country. According to the World Health Organization, cataracts are responsible for more than half of all cases of blindness in India. The impact is particularly profound in rural areas, where limited awareness and accessibility to healthcare services exacerbate the problem. This is where the medical NGO Nanritam comes in. 

Nanritam’s mission and approach

Nanritam is a medical NGO that was founded in 2002 by a dedicated group of professionals. Since then, Nanritam has been at the forefront of combating visual impairment caused by cataracts in West Bengal. The medical NGO follows a comprehensive four-step process to ensure that elderly individuals in underserved communities receive the eye care they desperately need:

Preliminary screening: Nanritam is a medical NGO that conducts preliminary screenings to identify individuals requiring cataract surgery. This initial step is crucial in identifying those who may otherwise go unnoticed and untreated.

Diagnosis and transport: Once identified, patients are diagnosed and arrangements are made by the medical NGO for the transportation of patients to designated camps or hospitals equipped to perform cataract surgeries. This eliminates logistical barriers that often hinder access to essential medical services.

Surgical procedure: Nanritam has a team of eye doctors that performs cataract surgeries on identified patients. The medical NGO recognizes the transformative power of a quick 5-minute cataract surgery in restoring vision and changing lives.

Post-operative follow-up care: The commitment of this medical NGO extends beyond the surgical procedure. Post-operative follow-up care is provided to ensure that patients recover successfully and experience the full benefits of the surgery. To support Nanritam, you can donate here.

Impact and achievements 

Since 2022, Nanritam has emerged as a medical NGO that has touched the lives of an astounding 10 million individuals through its eye care services. The medical NGO has become a source of hope for elderly individuals in and around Purulia in West Bengal, where the combination of illiteracy, poverty and geographical isolation has created formidable challenges.

Ranjana Sengupta, the Secretary of Nanritam, underscores the dire situation faced by the visually impaired elderly in these remote villages. With young individuals migrating to urban areas for better livelihood opportunities, the elderly are often left behind, struggling to care for themselves. The medical NGO explains that the additional burden of visual impairment due to cataracts further compounds their challenges, rendering them helpless in their day-to-day lives.

Nanritam’s unique role in Purulia 

As a groundbreaking and compassionate medical NGO, Nanritam stands as the sole savior for the visually impaired elderly in the villages of Purulia. These areas are so remote that not a single eye care institution had reached them before the inception of Nanritam. The medical NGO has a team of dedicated eye doctors that travels to far-flung regions, providing free treatment to those who would otherwise be left without recourse.

Ranjana Sengupta emphasizes that “blindness leaves the elderly so helpless that they are even unable to care for themselves and lead normal lives.” The intervention of this medical NGO not only restores vision but also restores a sense of independence and dignity to those who have long suffered in silence.

The urgent need for support

Despite its remarkable achievements, the medical NGO faces significant challenges. Limited livelihood opportunities in backward areas contribute to the migration of able-bodied individuals to urban centers, leaving their elderly parents behind. The consequence is a growing population of visually impaired seniors who lack the means to access even basic treatment and medical care.

In light of these challenges, Nanritam has initiated a crucial fundraiser to address the urgent needs of the organization. The funds raised will be used by the medical NGO to purchase modern equipment and cover operating costs, ensuring that Nanritam can continue its noble mission of restoring vision to the elderly who cannot afford essential eye care services.

Ranjana Sengupta passionately appeals for support, stating that “we are in urgent need of funds to give vision to the elderly who can’t even afford basic treatment and medical care. I urge you to support us in this noble mission and help the elderly get their vision back.”

The priceless impact

The success stories emerging from Nanritam’s efforts are nothing short of inspirational. The joy experienced by an elderly individual seeing their granddaughter’s face for the first time or witnessing sunlight after years of visual impairment is immeasurable. Nanritam, through its selfless commitment to the cause, has become a medical NGO that supplies a lifeline for those who have long lived in the shadows of blindness.

Support this medical NGO on Give.do

This medical NGO highlights that cataracts, a pervasive issue in India, continue to rob countless individuals of their vision and independence. Nanritam’s tireless efforts to combat this challenge exemplify the transformative impact that dedicated individuals and organizations can have on communities in need. As the medical NGO strives to conduct 15,000 to 20,000 eye surgeries through its fundraiser, the call for support becomes even more urgent. Donating to Nanritam is not just an investment in eye surgeries; it is an investment in restoring the joy, dignity and independence of the visually impaired elderly, allowing them to see the world anew. To support Nanritam, you can donate here.

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