The Hindu, in association with Malabar Eye Hospital (MEH) here, on Wednesday launched ‘Good Vision for Wise Reading’, a Corporate Social Responsibility scheme to conduct free eye check-up camps for students in 50 schools in Kozhikode district and give them the required medical support.
At the district-level launch held at St. Michael’s Girls Higher Secondary School, West Hill, free check-up was offered to about 350 girls students. Camp coordinators said further consultation would be provided free of cost to 83 girls who were found suffering from some eye problems.
Delivering the keynote address at the function, ophthalmologist Mohammed Rafi said the students should try to limit their screen time in a healthy way to avoid possible future complications to their eyes.
The increasing incidents of myopia these days should be an eye-opener for youngsters, he reminded.
Dr. Rafi, who led the camp, also said those who use spectacles should consult their doctors at least once a year for proper follow-up instead of depending on the local optical shops for opinion.
“For others, it is good to have an ophthalmology consultation at least once in two years,” he noted.
Inaugurating the camp, P.M. Rasheed, Managing Director of MEH, said more than 5,000 schoolchildren in the district would get the benefit of the CSR project. “Also, free consultation will be provided to the needy parents of the students,” he added.
K.K. Mercy, school principal, chaired the inaugural event, which was hosted with the support of National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers. A bunch of student-specific publications from The Hindu was also handed over to the school to mark the occasion. NSS programme officer K. Soumya and staff coordinator Binoj Chettoor were present.
