30th January is celebrated as the National Leprosy Day in India. To commemorate the death anniversary of the Father of our Nation Mahatma Gandhi, this year Ophthalmological Society of West Bengal also acknowledged this day in association with the Rotary Club of Durgapur and Durgapur Blind Relief Society. We organised a free eye check-up camp for leprosy patients and school children of leprosy-affected families in the leprosy colony at Namo, Sagarbhanga, Durgapur between 10 am to 2:00 pm on that very day.

The following dignitaries were present to grace the occasion:

• Mrs. Anindita Mukherjee, Mayor, Durgapur
• Superintendent of Durgapur Sub-Divisional Hospital
• Dr. Anita Chatterjee, President of Durgapur Ophthalmological Society
• Chief of DPL Durgapur
• Rotarian Uday Chatterjee, President of Rotary Club of Durgapur
• Mr. Tapas Sarkar, Secretary Durgapur Blind Relief Society
• Dr. A. R. Rahman Paediatrician and Past President of IMA, Durgapur
• Dr. Sarmistha Das, Skin Specialist of IMA Durgapur
• Mr. Biplab Basuthakur, Past President of Rotary Club, Durgapur
• Dr. R.K. Ghosh, Senior Ophthalmologist of OSWB
• Mr. Kartik, Secretary of Leprosy Colony
• Dr. Monoj Hajra, Past President, OSWB
• Dr. Sohini Ghosh, Chairperson, Community Ophthalmology, OSWB

The total number of leprosy patients who attended the camp was 97.
New blanket distribution was done among them; the number was 40.
Clothes and sweaters were given to the leprosy patients; the number was 250.
For School children’s health and eye check-up was done, copies, pens and pencils in pencil boxes were given to them. The number turned out to be 105.
Free Distribution of medicine was also done to the patients.

A team of ophthalmologists, optometrists, paediatricians, skin specialists, and medicine specialists were present at the venue. Initially, the screening of the patients was done. Their weight height and blood pressure were recorded and they were sent to the respective doctors as the patients complained. In the meantime, the Mayor of Durgapur arrived and a flower homage was given to Mahatma Gandhi, the national flag was hoisted and the national anthem was sung. The present dignitaries were facilitated by a flower bouquet given by the leprosy patients. Welcome address and introductory speech stressing the importance of eye diseases in the different age groups for awareness of the common masses was given by Dr. Sohini Ghosh, who represented the Ophthalmological Society of West Bengal. Following this blankets, clothes, a few food items, stationery items for the children and chocolates were distributed among the leprosy patients and their families. To promote the planting of trees, saplings of mango trees were planted in the nearby area. Local journalists covered the program in the local news and in the Burdwan page of Anandabazar Patrika. It was the 1st Community Ophthalmology program of 2023, organized by OSWB and went on smoothly. Response from the people was overwhelming. Our team was given homegrown mushroom and calendula flower plants by the colony members. Their warmth and simplicity were the finest mementoes we gathered on our way home.