Karnataka: Ophthalmologist couple perform 75 free eye surgeries to mark valentine's day

Bengaluru: Celebrating valentine's day in their own way, a doctor couple from Karnataka’s Chikkaballapur region performed around 75 free eye surgeries on 14th February, extending help to patients from economically marginalized sections.  

The doctor couple, identified as Dr HS Shashidhar Kumar and Dr KS Ratna of Manasa Hospital, said this is their way of showing love, concern, and compassion for the community. Free cataract surgeries were made available for patients in this regard, and they also provided food, shelter, medicines, and spectacles for free. 

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Dr Kumar said, "It is the day of love and anybody can show their love to anybody be it nature, animals, or people. We wanted to show our love toward our patients. We wanted to show that this day is not only meant for young people and that affection can be shown towards other people." 

He further said, "Youth offer roses to their lovers to express their love and affection on the occasion of Valentine’s Day. Both of us celebrated Valentine’s Day by performing surgeries for more than 75 patients from economically weaker families at free of cost. We also provided accommodation and food for the people undergoing eye surgeries." 

Speaking to Indian Express, Dr KS Ratna said, "We wanted to show people that this day can be celebrated in a different way, a way which is broader. We love our people; we wanted to show that and celebrate the day by giving something back to the people." 

A number of patients appreciated the gesture, and thanked the doctors for their free service at a time of need. Speaking to Bangalore Mirror, Ashwath Narayanappa, a resident of Bodabandahalli said, "The doctor performed eye surgery on my left eye three years ago. I underwent surgery for my right eye three days ago. I am grateful to the doctor for performing eye surgery at free of cost." 

A senior citizen from Mallur village, Suguna Bai stated that she depends on the pension given by the state government to meet her needs. Thanking the doctors, Bai said, "I can’t afford to have eye surgery at a private hospital as I have no money. My husband works as a tailor. I want to thank the doctor couple for helping so many people like me." 

Dr Kumar is a regular visitor of Manasa Hospital at Yelahanka in North Bengaluru. He said, "I visit Manasa Hospital at Yelahanka in the evening and stay till 8 pm. I will collect minimum fees if the patient cannot afford to pay. I am associated with 14 hospitals in rural areas." Further he added, "We have completed 800 eye camps till now. Our target is to conduct more than 1,000 eye camps for the people in rural areas." 

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