Aurangabad: The ophthalmic surgery department of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) initiated an eye donation fortnight on Monday in the outpatient department (OPD). National eye donation fortnight is celebrated every year from August 25 to September 8.GMCH Kanan Yelikar inaugurated the event on Monday morning. Yelikar said that eye donation is the best donation and administered a pledge of eye donation after death to patients and kin of patients. Those who have benefitted from eye transplant were part of the inaugural programme. The response of the relatives of patients was noted.The ophthalmic surgery department has undertaken various initiatives as part of eye donation fortnight. Head of the department and professor Varsha Nandedkar said a poster exhibition in the OPD hall offers detailed information about eye donation. Volunteers from the department are having one-on-one talks with those interested in knowing more about donation. Rangoli designs indicating the significance of eye donation were also drawn as part of the programme on Monday.The undergraduate and post graduate medical students are taking part in an essay competition on eye donation. MBBS students took part in a quiz on the topic; PG students will take part in a similar quiz next week.Those interested in donating their eyes after death can fill consent forms for eye donation. Representatives at the counters will get forms filled and spread the word about eye donation. At the time this reporter last checked, 80 people had signed up to donate their eyes after death. GMCH conducts eye transplant surgeries free of cost.The head of the geriatric department Mangala Borkar, HoD orthopaedic department Chandrakant Thorat, HoD microbiology Ajeet Damle, deputy dean Shivaji Sukre and medical superintendent Bharat Sonawane were also present at the event.

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