A team of Indian Army eye surgeons helped restore vision for at least 29 Nepalese residents from Dharan of Sunsari district, Koshi province of the Himalayan nation during a five-day mega eye camp in West Bengal’s Bagdogra. Indian Army doctors from Delhi and Lucknow conducted over 350 cataract surgeries during the camp hosted in North Bengal’s centre point of connectivity. At least 17 ex-servicemen including their dependents were screened for ophthalmic ailments and some of them underwent cataract surgeries free of cost with high-quality lenses.
A total of 354 surgical procedures, including five minimally invasive glaucoma operations, were performed during the eye camp organised at 158 Base hospital, Bengdubi, situated near Bagdogra airport under Trishakti Corps under Eastern Command. Patients from Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim and Nepal received treatment at the camp.
Eye surgical camp held at 158 Base Hospital, Bagdogra, West Bengal
The Indian Army conducted an eye surgical camp at 158 Base Hospital, Bagdogra, West Bengal from March 20 to 24, 2025, providing advanced medical care to ex-servicemen. A total of 1,752 ex-servicemen and their dependents were screened for various ophthalmic ailments, including cataract. An expert medical team from Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi; Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt and Command Hospital, Lucknow cumulatively conducted more than 350 cataract surgeries over five days.
In addition, over 500 high-standard glasses were distributed free of cost. The use of top-tier equipment and high-quality lenses ensured that patients received the best possible care.
Initiative led by Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra
The mega eye camp initiative was led by Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra, an ophthalmic surgeon and the Head of Department of Ophthalmology at Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi. Brig SK Mishra has been credited to perform over one lakh successful cataract, vitreoretinal, refractive and glaucoma surgeries.
“Over 1,700 OPDs were attended by us, and out of them more than 20 percent patients underwent surgery for various issues including cataract, glaucoma. As part of a goodwill gesture and to continue to forge cordial relationships with Himalayan neighbour, at least 29 Nepal nationals who were brought more than 100 kilometres away from Bagdogra, were assisted by our team in restoring their vision. There were 17 civilian Nepal nationals and the remainder were veterans,” Brig Mishra said.
“The camp has brought world-class treatment at the doorsteps of veterans who have devoted their life to the nation in the foothills of the Himalayas, spanning a vast region of West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, and even Nepal. It was ensured that the veterans receive the care they deserve without the need to travel,” the Indian Army Opthalmologist added.
Eye camp conducted on Bengal Governor Bose’s request
The mega eye camp was conducted under the directives of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on the request of Governor of West Bengal CV Ananda Bose, extending high-quality ophthalmic treatment to the region. This initiative highlights the Indian Army’s commitment to the well-being of its veterans and their families.
The West Bengal governor C V Ananda Bose on March 10, had requested Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of the Army Staff Upendra Dwivedi to host an eye camp in the region for veterans, where almost 96,000 ex-servicemen and their families reside.
