TPRF Sponsors Eye Clinics in Rural India for Seventh Year

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) continued to underwrite free professional eye care for underserved populations in rural India by donating US $10,000 for five multi-day clinics that provided services to more than 6,000 people from villages in the National Capital Territory of New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand.

The recent series of two-day clinics, held from October 2010 through January of this year, brought to 29 the number of clinics sponsored by TPRF and its partner, Prem Sagar Foundation India, since they started the program in 2003. The clinics were organized by India's Raj Vidya Kender organization.

To date, TPRF has granted US$145,000 to fund the clinics, which have been attended by over 50,000 people, with more than 31,000 sets of eyeglasses issued to those who needed them, as well as nearly 40,000 eye drops distributed and over 5,000 cataract referrals made.

"The clinics are designed with respect for each person's dignity and a concern for each person's health," said Linda Pascotto, TPRF president. "We consciously tailor these efforts," Linda said, "so that each person who comes to the clinics is made comfortable and is treated with care. Our goal is to assist people unnecessarily handicapped by poor sight so that they can function better in their daily lives."

In 2007, the Health Ministry of India estimated that 1.1% of the population suffered from blindness, 80% of which was preventable. While some blindness is irreversible once it occurs, many people suffering from the most common cause, cataracts, could be helped to see again. Others can benefit from eyeglasses, medicines, and instruction about eye care. Yet millions are unable to receive the care that could preserve or restore their eyesight.

The numbers tell only part of the story of the yearly TPRF-sponsored clinics in India. Participating physicians and diagnosticians report satisfaction both with results and the manner with which the clinics were conducted. The senior eye specialist at this year's Mirzapur clinic, Dr. D.K. Doshi, expressed that he had never seen a clinic so efficiently organized. He also remarked that he has been conducting eye clinics in Hindalco Hospital for 15 years but found the arrangements and facilities here to be far better. Dr. R.K. Dubesh, another specialist volunteering in Chattarpur, reported, "The clinic was well organized, and the volunteers managed everything with great care and dedication."

Many participants expressed appreciation both on the personal and community level. Jubeda of Kheragoan village, said, "I earn my living by sewing and embroidery work, and I was feeling a pain my eyes. I am now able to see clearly and will be able to manage now." Shri Sitargam from Patehara village expressed, "We have come from villages. It is hard to believe we are treated with such respect. We are very happy."

About The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF)

The Prem Rawat Foundation, whose current president is Linda Pascotto, promotes Prem Rawat's message of peace and his vision of addressing fundamental human needs so that people everywhere can live with dignity, peace, and prosperity. For more information, visit: http://www.tprf.org.

SOURCE The Prem Rawat Foundation

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