Namaskar

Respected Hon. Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Smt. PanabakaLakshmi Garu, my colleague Dr. K. Viswanath on the dais, distinguished guests, galaxy of Eye Specialists, friends, my Directors on the Board, my dedicated Medical & Non-medical staff of Pushpagiri Eye Institute, the Press and Electronic Media and Ladies & Gentlemen.

My hearty welcome to all of you and I feel extremely joyous and the feeling of immense satisfaction is engulfing my heart – for I believe firmly that Pushpagiri Eye Institute, continues its journey on this 2nd Anniversary of its incubation, to emerge as a National Institute for Comprehensive Eye Care with an Eye to provide affordable Ophthalmic services – driven by an element of compassion - to serve all those who cannot afford - through its state-of-the-art Speciality Eye Care facility – only to remain true to its fundamental values of Seva through excellence.

I have decided to keep away from details of our Institute’s achievements in just two years of its incorporation, which has grown by geometric progression – details of which my colleague Dr.K.Viswanath will deal with – shortly “Social isolation” due to visual impairment is often compounded by lack of Speciality Eye Care and support. There are not many Speciality Comprehensive Quality Eye Care providers in India, - as the prevalence of condition grows - like blindness due to Diabetes. The existing centers are unable to cope with the demands. Also the cost remains beyond the reach of large majority of the Indian population.

Hence, the task before us is to rapidly grow and fill up the “huge gap” for Speciality Eye Care, - Speciality focus on Diabetic Retinopathy and child-hood blindness. To achieve this at Pushpagiri Eye Institute - we have designed some innovative solutions, - domestically driven devices by customizing to the local community – with an integrated approach, - keeping upper most in mind the following principles.

a) We have made it a Patient Centric Institution of excellence. b) We are making it accessible through net working hospitals and especially through tele-ophthalmology and tele-medicine. c) Reach out to the remotest areas and sensitize the population. d) Make the Speciality Eye Care affordable to all. e) Use the technology as an “enabler” by adopting the latest in Health Care IT and Medical Technology. f) Constantly create by Specially Designed Training – a breed of Medical & Non medical force - driven by passion and commitment to serve for the cause. g) Expand rapidly by bringing-in Investments through our “Manthra” the concept of “Equity for Charity”. h) Create centers “empowered” to follow up and monitor for Speciality Eye Care like Diabetic Retinopathy. i) Lastly never to turn back even a single patient un-attended or who walks in for services because he cannot afford.

It gives me immense pleasure to tell you all “my friends”, Pushpagiri Eye Institute beginning with January, 2007 till today, have served “all free” involving all that Speciality Eye Care whether it be a Cataract or a detachment or any Speciality Eye Care Services – name it – “over 55% of quantity turnover in numbers” –to all those who needed and could not afford.

My Board has been kind enough to “write off” all that the Institute has carried out on “Free of Charge basis” with a note to continue, which give me the “will & energy” to work more and more in this direction.

I am proud to say that within a short period of two years we have already set our eyes on International Collaborations and Partnerships and shortly we are in the process of Collaborating and Partnering with one of the leading and Globally known Eye Research Institute to work on combating blindness due to Age Related Macular deficiency and Diabetic Retinopathy – the result of which would benefit millions of Diabetic patients of India.

We will be collaborating and partnering with them on the Research Programmes in the area such as

• Epidemiological Research
• Clinical Research
• Basic Research
• Molecular, Genetics & Immunology.

Our other core activities include – Academic Programmes in “Phaco Training, Fellowship in Diabetic Retinopathy – Certificate Course in Diabetic Retinopathy, DNB programme and continuing Medical Education” – not but not the least - we shall establish a Low Vision Aid Centre at our Institute. Lastly at Pushpagiri Eye Institute, we promise to dedicate that we will eradiate the needless blindness by providing appropriate and compassionate high quality Speciality Eye Care for all and Specially to those who cannot afford.

Once again I welcome you all & especially our Hon.Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Smt.Panabaka Lakshmi Garu, who has been kind enough to be our Chief Guest of the evening today

Namaskar