Flying Hospital Brings Sight-Restoring Care to Gorakhpur in Landmark Medical Mission
When the innovative 'Flying Hospital' arrived in Gorakhpur, it did so with a quiet yet profound sense of purpose, aiming to illuminate lives dimmed by visual impairment. For 69-year-old Amarnath Gupta, this mission was a beacon of hope. Cataracts had gradually clouded his world, blurring the vibrant scenes of his grandchildren at play and robbing him of everyday joys. This week, within the advanced operating theatres of the 12 Air Force Hospital, a tri-services medical team performed a sight-restoring procedure, not only clearing his vision but also reviving a part of his life he feared was lost forever.
Mega Eye Camp Concludes with Over 370 Surgeries
The region's first mega advanced surgical eye camp, a collaborative effort by specialists from the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy, concluded on Friday after an intensive three-day schedule of screenings and operations. A total of 374 patients underwent sight-restoring procedures, with more than 100 surgeries completed on the opening day alone. This initiative, aptly nicknamed the 'Flying Hospital' for its mobile and rapid-response surgical model, is strategically designed to reach areas where advanced eye care is scarce or inaccessible.
The camp in Gorakhpur attracted patients from numerous remote districts, including Siddharthnagar, Azamgarh, Deoria, Maharajganj, and rural pockets of Gorakhpur itself. Some individuals even traveled from neighboring Nepal to benefit from this humanitarian service. On the second day, the mission extended its reach to particularly vulnerable communities by operating on 20 patients referred by the Maati Foundation, highlighting its commitment to inclusive healthcare.
Leadership and Nationwide Impact of the Medical Mission
The mission was spearheaded by Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra, head of ophthalmology at the Army Hospital Research and Referral (AHRR) in Delhi. A native of Mau district, Brigadier Mishra has been leading similar outreach efforts since December 2024. Working alongside Lt Col Ravi Chauhan of Base Hospital, New Delhi, and Maj Amrita Joshi of AHRR, he has overseen more than 1,530 surgeries across six previous camps in locations such as Dehradun, Jaipur, Bagdogra, Udhampur, Lakshadweep, and Bhuj.
In Gorakhpur, the team received crucial support from Wg Cdr Shabreen Sultan and Surg Lt Cdr Vikas Adikenavar of 12 AFH, Wg Cdr Sridhara Reddy of 7 AFH Kanpur, and Wg Cdr Nithya Nair from Command Hospital, Bengaluru. Reflecting on the mission's success, Brigadier Mishra stated, "We are proud to be part of a hospital that flies to people rather than people reaching to hospitals. The team's collective efforts have transformed many lives across the country. The military's humanitarian service will continue as we have planned more camps."
This initiative underscores the military's dedication to public health, leveraging its medical expertise to address critical healthcare gaps in underserved regions. The 'Flying Hospital' model not only provides immediate relief but also sets a precedent for future mobile medical missions aimed at enhancing accessibility to specialized treatments.
