There are 223 million people in the world with some kind of vision ailment, but this huge number does not daunt Dr Sanduk Ruit. As an ophthalmologist, he has given back sight to over 1,20,000 people, and he refuses to stop now.
As part of See Now’s ‘Eye Health Hero’ series, the eye surgeon and his selfless achievements have been highlighted. The organisation works towards making access to quality eyecare a universal reality.
Dr Ruit has set up the Himalayan Cataract Project, which cures blindness in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
Born in remote Nepal in 1955, Dr Ruit completed his education in India, Netherlands and United States. Through his work after graduating, he and his team in Nepal simplified cataract surgery with lens implantation so it could be affordable and accessible to poorer communities.
After that he set up the Tilganga Eye Center in Nepal along with many mobile eye camps to provide basic eye care. The Himalayan Cataract Project is a charity that helps fund the center and the eye camps.
He reached out to many rural communities and hundreds turned up for eye care. He would operate in any shelters that the villages could offer.
Dr Ruit continues in his efforts to work in the areas where people have less access to quality care. And the organisation is encouraging people to join the online community to help spread awareness about eye care.
(Source: See Now)
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