The District Health Society, Longleng, observed the 41st National Eye Donation Fortnight under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCB & VI) by hosting a sensitization and awareness program at District Hospital, Longleng, on September 7. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Thungchanpeni Patton highlighted eye donation as a noble act that restores sight and urged the community to dispel common misconceptions while encouraging families to honor loved ones’ pledges to donate. Ophthalmologist Dr. Thejavituo Kire explained the cornea harvesting process and noted that because there is no artificial substitute for human corneas, donated tissue remains crucial to addressing the global shortage of transplants. Emphasizing that individuals of all ages and genders can pledge their eyes after death, health officials called on the public to bridge the gap between demand and availability to combat preventable corneal blindness across the region.
