A health camp in Khoto on 22 February 2022 connected residents with examinations and follow-up care. For several older people facing financial barriers, support from SPS made cataract surgery possible.
Taking services closer to communities
Under the Community Empowerment Project-2, with financial support from RMI, SPS organised a camp serving mica-dependent communities in Tisri block, Giridih.
The camp provided free eye, dental and general check-ups to 106 people from Khoto, Nimadih, Khijuri, Gajwakura, Paisratanr, Gamhariatanr and other project villages. Eleven people were identified with cataract-related concerns.
Following through on referrals
Five residents agreed to proceed with treatment and explained that they could not meet the costs themselves. SPS staff helped them travel to Vimala Ramakrishna Bajaj Eye Hospital in Deoghar.
During assessment, two people were found to have elevated blood-sugar levels and were advised to bring these under control before surgery. The other three underwent cataract operations successfully, according to the case study.
What the support meant to residents
Kaushalya Devi, then 65, described difficulty seeing clearly, doing daily tasks and obtaining wage work. She and her older husband had limited income. She said that paying for surgery herself had seemed impossible, but the team's help with examination, travel and treatment removed that barrier.
After treatment, Kaushalya reported clearer vision and renewed confidence in carrying out daily work. Her words captured the importance of the change: “Bahut din bad fir se duniya dekh pa rahi hun. Jug-jug jiyo beta.”
Akali Devi also described the cost of surgery as a major obstacle for her family. She had previously been quoted ₹15,000–₹20,000 and was reluctant to add to the household's financial burden. She expressed relief and gratitude after receiving support for the operation.
Prabhu Sao, then 60, said that restored vision helped him contribute to household tasks and family expenses. For these residents, the camp was valuable not only because it identified a need, but because the organisation helped them complete the journey from referral to treatment.
These outcomes are reported experiences from the 2022 case study, not guarantees of individual medical results.