Over 100 healthcare workers trained in counselling, cornea retrieval, tissue preservation and documentation ahead of National Eye Donation Fortnight
TFP Bureau, Raipur, August 22, 2026: A state-level workshop on the latest procedures and practices related to eye donation was organised at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital in Raipur on Saturday, with over 100 healthcare workers receiving specialised training to strengthen eye donation activities across Chhattisgarh.
The one-day workshop, titled “Latest Information on Eye Donation Procedures”, was organised by the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology (RIO) and the Department of Ophthalmology, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Medical College, Raipur, at the hospital’s Telemedicine Hall.
Participants included Ophthalmic Assistant Officers and Assistant Eye Donation Officers nominated by the Directorate of Health Services from 32 districts of the state.
Focus on comprehensive eye donation training
The workshop aimed to equip healthcare workers with practical knowledge and skills required at different stages of the eye donation process, particularly ahead of the National Eye Donation Fortnight, scheduled from August 25 to September 8.
Training sessions covered counselling of bereaved families, addressing misconceptions and concerns related to eye donation, donor selection and medical screening, cornea retrieval, tissue preservation, cold-chain maintenance and safe transportation.
Participants were also trained in essential documentation, including consent forms, death certificates and eye bank records.
Practical demonstrations and role-play sessions
The workshop placed particular emphasis on hands-on training rather than limiting the sessions to theoretical knowledge. Demonstrations were conducted on procedures including enucleation, preparation and preservation of the in-situ corneoscleral rim, moist chamber preparation, documentation and family counselling.
Real-life case discussions, interactive quizzes and role-play exercises by medical college students were also used to help participants understand how to communicate sensitively with families during difficult situations.
Experts addressed participants’ queries and encouraged them to use the knowledge gained during the workshop to spread awareness about eye donation and motivate people in their respective areas to pledge their eyes.
Health Minister’s call gives impetus to initiative
The initiative followed an appeal by Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal during a programme at the medical college a few months ago. Referring to Sri Lanka’s high rate of eye donation, the Minister had stressed the need to strengthen the culture of eye donation in Chhattisgarh and urged the department to undertake concrete measures.
The Regional Institute of Ophthalmology subsequently initiated the workshop to provide specialised training to healthcare personnel involved in the eye donation process.
Healthcare workers play key role
Officials said Ophthalmic Assistant Officers and Assistant Eye Donation Officers play a critical role, along with doctors, in making eye donation programmes successful. Their responsibilities include identifying potential donors, contacting and counselling families, facilitating eye retrieval, ensuring proper preservation and completing the required documentation.
The organisers said the objective of the workshop was not merely to disseminate information but to enhance the knowledge, technical skills and sensitivity of healthcare workers involved in eye donation.
Support from medical college and hospital administration
The programme was conducted with the guidance and support of medical college Dean Dr Vivek Chaudhary and the logistical assistance of Dr Santosh Sonkar, Superintendent of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital.
The organisers expressed gratitude to the college and hospital administrations for facilitating the state-level training programme.
The workshop concluded with a post-test and feedback session. The organisers emphasised that strengthening eye donation in Chhattisgarh requires both sustained public awareness and a trained, sensitive healthcare workforce.
They underlined the message that eye donation can offer the “gift of sight” to another person, transforming a donor’s legacy into a source of hope and a new dimension of life.
