The typical cost of conducting phacoemulsification cataract surgery in a private eye care centre costs anywhere between Rs 30,000 and Rs 40,000 but the same is available free of cost at State-run Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital, Mehdipatnam, and in districts.
IndiGlobal Bureau
The state government on Wednesday launched 12 state-of-the-art phaco machines as part of Kanti Velugu programme to facilitate qualitative cataract treatment. 12 high-end phaco machines will cost of Rs 3.46 crore. Two machines were inaugurated by health minister T. Harish Rao along with home Minister Mahmood Ali at Sarojini Devi eye hospital. Also getting new machines were Malakpet area hospital, and one each in Mahabubnagar, Warangal, Nizamabad, Sangareddy, Adilabad, Karimnagar, Vikarabad, Nalgonda and Khammam district.
- 12 phaco machines procured with a cost of Rs. 3.46 crore
- Patients can avail free phacoemulsification cataract surgery in government hospitals
- At private eye care centres, cataract surgery cost will be Rs. 30,000 to Rs 40,000
- Phaco machines are used to break the cataract affected lens of the eyes
- Artificial lens, which is provided free of cost, is used to replace the damaged one
- Such high-end cataract surgeries now available in districts
This will be used in cataract surgeries in government hospitals, a facility that is provided free of cost as part of the Kanti Velugu initiative. Speaking on the occasion, Harish Rao said that phaco machines, also known as phacoemulsification machines, will help in providing enhanced services to patients suffering from eye problems. Phaco ultrasound technology machines will enhance the performance of cataract surgeries leading to quicker surgical procedures and faster recovery of patients, he said.
“Poor patients will not have to spend from their pocket to undergo cataract surgeries through phaco machines. They can simply get the surgery done for free of cost at government hospitals,” Health Minister, T Harish Rao, who launched the phaco machines at SD Eye Hospital, said.
The SD Eye Hospital already has 5 phaco machines and with two more, it would be able to cut- down the waiting time. “With the procurement of new machines, surgeons in districts too will be able to conduct the surgeries free of cost,” Superintendent, SD Eye Hospital, Dr Raja Lingam said.