Recent Updates
EC Meeting and Vision Workshop
Executive Committee Meeting:
The 69th meeting of the Executive Committee of the Eye Bank Society of Rajasthan was held on 19th September 2022 at 11 am in the EBSR office. Shri B. L. Sharma, President EBSR presided over the meeting. Smt. Usha Bapna, Joint Secretary EBSR presented report on Eye Donation Awareness Fortnight 2022. Shri B. L. Sharma, President EBSR informed that we have received individual life membership application from Shri Kapil Garg, Retired IPS, Shri S. S. Bissa Retired IAS, Smt. Deepali Bhargava, Joint Director, College Education.
Meeting of Vision workshop was conducted on 11th July 2022 at Hotel Bliss in Jaipur.
President Mr. B.L. Sharma, Secretary Mr. L.P.kothari, Medical Director Dr. Garima Agarwal and Other Executive Member were attend the meeting. Agenda of Meeting was based on Review Performance of eye donation technician for 2nd Quart 2022, set goals and targets for 2022, explain technical mistakes done by technicians and Counselors and distribution of Incentives of 2nd th quarter of 2022. Technical session was taken by Med. Director, technical mistakes was point out by her and she explained way to avoid technical mistakes in future during corneal excision.
Best Eye Bank Trophy , Eye Donor Felicitation Program & Vision Workshop
Dr A P Sah Rolling Trophy-2022
Eye Bank Society of Rajasthan (EBSR) has been awarded the Dr. A P Sah Rolling Trophy for outstanding performance in promoting eye donation and transplantation in north zone. The award, given by the Eye Bank Association of India (EBAI), recognizes the best working eye banks in each zone. The EBSR was recognized for their commitment and dedication to promoting eye donation and transplantation, setting a high standard for other eye banks to follow. The trophy was presented to the EBSR at the 12th National Conference on Cornea and Eye Banking during the Annual Convention of the EBAI on December 3rd, 2022.
Eye Donor family Felicitation Program
Meeting of Vision workshop was conducted on 11th July 2022 at Hotel Bliss in Jaipur.
On March 19th, 2023, a felicitation program was held at the Inderalok auditorium in Jaipur, to honor the families of eye donors. The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including Smt. Usha Shama, the Chief Secretary, who was the chief guest of the program.
The other guests of honor included Dr. Sudhir Bhandari, the Vice Chancellor of RHUS, DG Police Umesh Mishra, and Dr. Baghratta, the Principal of SMS Medical College.
The program was aimed at honoring the families of those who had selflessly donated their eyes, and recognizing the importance of organ donation. The event began with a welcome address by the organizers, followed by speeches by the guests of honor.During the program, the families of the eye donors were felicitated and presented with certificates of appreciation. The chief guest, Smt. Usha Shama, praised the efforts of the organizers and the families of the donors, and emphasized the importance of organ donation in saving lives.Dr. Sudhir Bhandari and Dr. Baghratta also spoke about the significance of eye donation and the need for more people to come forward and pledge their organs.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks by the organizers, who thanked the guests of honor, the families of the donors, and everyone who had contributed to the success of the event.
Vision Workshop -Q3 2024
On October 7th, a quarterly Vision Workshop was conducted at Hotel Bliss. This workshop was attended by EBSR EC board members, other HCRP members, and the EDCTs of all centers. The focus of this third quarterly assessment workshop was to evaluate performance and strategize for the upcoming quarter.
The meeting commenced with a welcome address by Secretary L.P. Kothari. During the performance review, it was reported that in the past nine months, 1,871 corneas were collected, out of which 1,253 were successfully transplanted, resulting in a 67% transplant rate. However, this performance was lower than the previous year, with 350 fewer corneas collected and 196 fewer transplants, despite a 2% increase in the utilization rate (67%).
This year, 1,261 corneas were collected through the HCRP program, out of which 981 were transplanted, representing 78% of the total. Additionally, 610 corneas were collected through voluntary donations, with 272 of them transplanted, contributing 22% of the total corneas collected.
The highest contributions came from Jaipur, with Prahlad contributing 178 corneas and Mukesh 153. In other chapters, Bharat Kumar from Ajmer contributed 143 corneas, and Anand Kumar from Jodhpur contributed 124.
During the meeting, awards for excellence were presented. Mr. Anand, who contributed 270 corneas, was named the Star Performer of Q3, while Mr. Bharat Kumar, with 245 corneas, was recognized as the Runner-Up Performer of Q3. The award for Excellent Field Technician in July went to Anand, and Kuldeep Singh received the same award for September.
In closing, President B.L. Sharma and Secretary L.P. Kothari motivated the staff to remain focused and committed to achieving the year’s goals. They reminded everyone that many people are still waiting for the gift of sight, and encouraged the team to draw energy from this mission whenever they feel discouraged .
23rd General Meeting
The 23rd Annual General Meeting of the Eye Bank Society of Rajasthan, held on October 8, 2022, showcased significant achievements, collaborations, and new initiatives. President Shri B. L. Sharma highlighted key accomplishments, such as receiving the Best Eye Bank trophy from the Eye Bank Association of India and a three-year project grant from Aziz Premji Philanthropic Initiative. Collaborations with organizations like Paytm, CULP, and MG Hospital were instrumental in promoting eye donation.
The progress roadmap over the last ten years revealed substantial growth in collections, transplants, and utilization rates. During January 2022 to September 2023, the society achieved remarkable results with 4905 collections, 3152 transplants, and 64% utilization rate.
The Eye Donation Awareness Fortnight in 2023 saw extensive participation and innovative activities, including rallies, educational programs, and a drawing competition.
Financially, the corpus fund witnessed steady growth, receiving CSR grants and individual donations. The Annual Report for 2022-23 covered various initiatives, including the Aziz Premji Philanthropic Initiative, tissue digitization software, donor’s data analysis, and the redevelopment of the society’s website.
The General Body approved the audited accounts and endorsed the Annual Programme and Budget. Secretary Shri Lalit P. Kothari announced chapter awards: Jaipur (Outstanding Performance Trophy, Rs. 50,000), Ajmer (Best Chapter Trophy, Rs. 40,000), Kota C (Runners Up, Rs. 30,000). President Shri B. L. Sharma presented M. L. Mehta Best Chapter Awards to representatives from each chapter. The meeting concluded with individual membership conferred on notable personalities, including Shri Rajeev Dasot, Shri Ajaya Gupta, Shri S. P. Verma, and Smt. Unnati Gurbani .During the open discussions, members addressed future challenges and explored avenues for collaboration.
23rd Annual General Meeting Highlights
The 23rd Annual General Meeting of the Eye Bank Society of Rajasthan was held on 8th October 2023 in Jaipur. Key highlights:
1. Annual Report & Financial Statements:
The Annual Report for 2022-23 and audited financial statements were approved. Major achievements included the Aziz Premji Philanthropic Initiative project grant, launching a digitized software for data management, redeveloping the website, and organizing the first Netradani Pariwar Samman Samaroh to felicitate donor families.
2. Performance:
Cornea collections increased by 80% to 2,911 and transplants rose by 80% to 1,879 compared to previous year. The utilization rate was 65%.
The approved Annual Program for 2024-25 targets 3,300 cornea collections and 2,200 transplants.
3. Financials:
The approved budget for 2024-25 estimates a deficit of Rs 177 lakhs with receipts of Rs 338.85 lakhs and expenditure of Rs 515.97 lakhs.
4. New Members:
Four new individual life members were inducted:
1) Shri Rajeev Dasot (Retired IPS officer)
2) Shri Ajaya Gupta (Retired IFS officer)
3) Shri S.P. Verma (Social Worker)
4) Smt. Unnati Gurbani (Social Worker)
5. Awards:
The M.L. Mehta Best Chapter Awards were given to Jaipur (Outstanding Performance), Ajmer (Best Chapter) and Kota (Runners Up).
6. Open House:
Members provided suggestions during the open house on expansion, coordination with hospitals/colleges, and awareness programs.
Enhancing Eye Donation Counselling Skills: A Professional Development Initiative
(A Report on the 2-Day Workshop)
On April 29, 2024, the Eye Bank Society of Rajasthan (EBSR) had the honor of hosting an esteemed team of experts from the renowned Shroff Eye Hospital, Delhi, for a pivotal technical session. This initiative aimed to enhance the proficiency of EBSR’s Eye Donation Counsellors and Technicians (EDCTs) in cornea recovery procedures, ultimately increasing the overall utilization of EBSR’s resources and capabilities.
Day 1: Technical Training and Skill Enhancement
The workshop featured a distinguished team comprising Rakhi Nathawat, Project Manager; Mr. Surendra Dixit, Eye Bank Manager; and Mr. Suresh, Senior Eye Technician. These skilled trainers conducted comprehensive one-on-one assessments of each EBSR technician’s cornea recovery skills, providing invaluable feedback and guidance to enhance their proficiency. This session was a testament to EBSR’s commitment to maintaining high standards in cornea recovery.
The presence of EBSR board members lent their support and boosted the morale of the dedicated staff, creating an environment of encouragement and professional growth. The day concluded with a sense of accomplishment and readiness for the upcoming sessions.
Day 2: Refining Counselling Abilities
On April 30, 2024, the focus shifted to refining the counselling abilities of EBSR’s eye donation counsellors. Facilitated by experienced trainers Rakhi Nathawat and Mr. Suresh from Shroff Eye Hospital, the sessions emphasized the development of essential soft skills for empathetic counselling. Through dynamic methods like role-plays and assessments, the EDCTs learned to utilize appropriate gestures and communication techniques to raise awareness about eye donation and persuade families to consider this noble act.
The trainers highlighted the importance of sensitivity and professionalism in guiding families through the donation process. The gracious presence of B.L. Sharma Sir, Smt. Shonu Jain, and Dr. Garima Aggarwal provided invaluable encouragement and support to the counsellors, reinforcing the significance of their roles.
Comprehensive Training for Lasting Impact
Furthermore, Surender Dixit conducted thorough tissue evaluation assessments, reflecting EBSR’s commitment to maintaining high standards. This comprehensive training initiative underscores EBSR’s dedication to equipping its workforce with the skills necessary for expert and compassionate eye donation counselling.
Through these focused training sessions, EBSR aims to impact countless lives by promoting the gift of sight. The event concluded with renewed motivation and a collective commitment to excellence, ready to embrace future challenges with enhanced skills and unwavering dedication.
This professional development initiative not only showcased the importance of technical proficiency but also emphasized the role of empathetic communication in the field of eye donation. EBSR continues to strive towards excellence, ensuring that every member of its team is well-equipped to make a significant difference in the lives of those they serve.
Report Prep By: Ms. Sudershana Shekhawat,
Sr. Manager, EBSR
Making Eye Donation Pledges Easier Than Ever:
Eye Bank Society of Rajasthan introduces a simple missed-call pledge process.In a progressive step toward promoting eye donation, the Eye Bank Society of Rajasthan has launched a convenient way for people to pledge their eyes. With just a missed call, citizens can now easily make their commitment to help those in need of corneal transplants.
To participate, interested individuals only need to give a missed call to 7375 855 855. Upon doing so, they will receive a text message with a link. Clicking the link leads to a form where they can officially complete their eye donation pledge. Once the form is submitted, they will receive a certificate acknowledging their pledge.
This initiative aims to increase awareness about eye donation and make it accessible to all, encouraging a larger number of people to participate in this noble cause. With a simplified process, the Eye Bank Society hopes to bring new light into the lives of those awaiting corneal transplants, bridging the gap between donors and recipients.
