Urgent Need for Eye Donations and Cochlear Implants for India's Blind and Hearing-Impaired

In a significant appeal during the Zero Hour of the Rajya Sabha, Congress member Mukul Balkrishna Wasnik underscored the pressing challenges faced by those suffering from corneal blindness in India. He stated that an estimated 2 lakh eye donations are required annually to address both existing and new cases effectively.

Wasnik pointed out the significant hurdles in eye donation, which include a lack of awareness and cultural myths, despite India boasting the largest number of eye banks worldwide. He urged the government to give high priority to resolving these issues and ensuring effective utilization of donated eyes.

Apart from eye donations, Wasnik also emphasized the need for universal coverage of cochlear implants for the country's one million children requiring these devices. He criticized the current government scheme for being inadequate and called for a comprehensive scheme that reflects market costs, offers financial assistance, and accelerates indigenous development to reduce dependency on imports.