How one ophthalmologist helped a government hospital in a remote tribal area of Telangana complete 400 cataract surgeries
At Area Hospital, Bhadrachalam, in Telangana’s Bhadradri Kothagudem districts, one specialist has helped bring specialized eye surgery to patients from remote tribal areas and even neighboring states | Photo credit: Special arrangement
At Area Hospital, Bhadrachalam, in Telangana’s Bhadradri Kothagudem district, one specialist has helped bring specialized eye surgery to patients from remote tribal areas and even neighboring states.
The hospital’s ophthalmology unit has completed 400 cataract operations since its specialist eye surgery was established in December 2023. Patients traveled to Bhadrachalam not only from Bhadradri Kothagudem district but also from Warangal, Karimnagar, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
The unit currently performs around 20 cataract operations a month and has increased its operating schedule from one to two days a week. The achievement is significant given the geographic challenges of the agency’s area and the limited availability of specialized manpower.
The eye operating theatre, the first of its kind in the entire district, was set up in December 2023, even before a similar facility was set up at the Government General Hospital (GGH), Kothagudem | Photo credit: Special arrangement
An eye operating theatre, the first of its kind in the entire district, was set up in December 2023, even before a similar facility was set up at the Government General Hospital (GGH), Kothagudem. It was established with the financial support of former District Collector Anudeep Durishetty at the initiative of District Coordinator of Health Services (DCHS) Dr. G. Ravi Babu.
The facility subsequently received continuous support from successive District Collectors Jitesh V. Patil and Ankit and ITDA Project Manager B. Rahul. “Their support included intraocular lenses, surgical supplies and other requirements that enabled the unit to provide consistent services in the field of cataract surgery,” said Dr. Ravi Babu.
The hospital performs modern phacoemulsification cataract operations. The 400 procedures took place without major complications. The unit is also among the top performing ophthalmology units under the Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad (TVVP), despite functioning with a single ophthalmologist appointed on contract basis.
“For a hospital located in a remote tribal area, the ability to provide specialist surgical care without patients having to travel to major urban centers is a significant health service. The hospital has been able to sustain the service through a combination of administrative support, dedicated infrastructure, essential surgical supplies and specialist medical and support staff,” added Dr. Ravi Babu.
He praised ophthalmologist Dr. Santosh, as well as the entire eye care, operations and support teams for their continued commitment. According to Dr. Ravi Babu’s eye operating theater was set up with district funds and has not received state funds yet.
Published – 20 Sep 2026 19:41 IST