New ophthalmic hospital in Bangalore
EHM News Bureau - Bangalore

Vittala International, a Super Specialty Ophthalmic Hospital has been set up in Bangalore. The 75 bed facility has been built at a cost of Rs 20 crore.

The ophthalmic sub-specialties that the hospital will treat include cataract, cornea, refractive corneal surgery, glaucoma, vitro retinal surgery, squint, contact lens, oculoplasty, neuro-ophthalmology, ocular trauma and emergency care.

According to Dr K R Murthy, head of the hospital, the dedicated ophthalmic facility hopes to provide the right platform to save blindness and also reorient those patients who have turned blind and not born blind. A panel of specialists and nurses will be available round the clock for any emergencies.

The hospital also has a rehabilitation centre for elderly blind who are not born blind. This rehabilitation centre will have counsellors who help them to reorient themselves so that they can accept blindness and yet feel fulfilled.

Another project called ‘Reaching Out’ will have doctors visiting villages and bringing patients to the hospital for treatment. The hospital has a unique medical insurance scheme by which if the patient pays Rs 2000 for a lifetime membership, his treatment would be free. The fee of Rs 2000 can be paid in installments and the membership would include both husband and wife.

Vittala International is built under the banner of Keshava Trust, a public charity established by Prabha Eye Clinic a noted ophthalmic care centre in south Bangalore. The new hospital is funded by non-resident Indians (NRIs) and the government of Karnataka donated the land. The trust has also three hospitals for the poor at Magadi, Anekal and Hosur in the outskirts of Bangalore.