41st Eye Donation Fortnight Rally Flagged Off in Channarayapattana to Raise Public Awareness

To spread awareness regarding corneal pledge commitments and dispel social taboos surrounding post-mortem eye donation, the 41st National Eye Donation Fortnight rally was flagged off on the premises of the Government Public Hospital in Channarayapattana town. The campaign was jointly organized by the Channarayapattana Taluk Administration, the office of the Taluk Health Officer, the Government Public Hospital, and the Lions Club of Channarayapattana. Inaugurating the awareness march, Lions Club founder president Dr. V. Mahesh stated that post-mortem eye donation grants visually impaired individuals the opportunity to see the world. He observed that despite growing healthcare literacy, many individuals refrain from pledging their eyes due to deep-seated social, religious, and traditional misconceptions, coupled with a lack of accurate information. He reminded the public that eye retrieval must take place within six hours after death, making it essential for donors to inform their families about their commitment in advance. Local medical professionals including Dr. B. Dharanesh, Dr. T. H. Harish, and Dr. S. Sindhu, along with healthcare personnel, Lions Club members, and school students, actively participated in the rally. For residents of Channarayapattana taluk, such public awareness initiatives foster better community health engagement and encourage seamless coordination between local families, medical authorities, and regional eye bank networks.