A community walkathon was organized in Belagavi on September 8 to raise awareness about corneal blindness and encourage eye donation. The event marked the culmination of the 41st National Eye Donation Fortnight, which was observed from August 25 to September 8. The walkathon began at Rani Channamma Circle and concluded at the M.M. Joshi Kodkany Eye Centre in Ayodhya Nagar.
District Leprosy Officer and Programme Officer, Belagavi, Dr. Geeta Kamble, and Medical Director of M.M. Joshi Kodkany Eye Centre, Dr. Shilpa Kodkany, flagged off the rally. Hundreds of medical professionals, volunteers, civic representatives, students and members of various public organisations took part, carrying banners and chanting slogans about eye donation.
Health officials and ophthalmologists addressed the gathering at the walk’s conclusion, urging the dispelling of misconceptions and social stigma surrounding eye donation and stressing that greater public awareness is essential to encourage pledges after death and restore sight to those with corneal blindness.
The programme was jointly organised by the district administration and zilla panchayat, District Health and Family Welfare Department, District Blindness Control Division, Office of the Taluk Health Officer, Lions International, Belagavi, Rotary Club, Belagavi, Belagavi Ophthalmic Association, M.M. Joshi Kodkany Eye Centre and SGM Eye Bank (M.M. Joshi Eye Institute).
Students and representatives of Al Iqra Foundation, Shri Guru Institutions, Lakeview Nursing College, AM Shaikh Homeopathy College, Expert PU College, Maratha Mandal Degree College and Mahavir Mirji Degree College also participated.
Organisers appealed to the public to spread awareness about eye donation and to pledge their eyes to help those needing corneal transplants.
