The Prem Warat Foundation announced on Wednesday it donated $25,000 to eye care in India. In 2007, the Health Ministry of India reported that 1.1 percent of the Indian population of more than 1.1 billion people is legally blind; 80 percent of blindness in India is preventable.
TPWF began conducting multi-day eye-care clinics and examinations in December 2009 through the end of January 2010 in seven cities around India. Ten-thousand people received free eye glasses, 10,500 were given treatment for infections and an additional 1,700 were diagnosed with cataracts and referred to area hospitals.
"Conscious effort is made to treat each person who comes to these clinics with care, respect for their dignity, and concern for their comfort," Linda Pascotto, president of the TPWF, said. "Thousands of people who were unnecessarily handicapped by poor sight have been helped at these clinics."
The organization has sponsored eye-care clinics throughout India since 2003. Those who attended the clinics expressed great gratitude for the free care. TPWF also provided the patients food, water, and shade as they waited for their turn with the doctor.
"There can be no bigger gift than the gift of clear vision for me. I appreciate all the arrangements made by the foundation," a 50-year-old man said.
Doctors donated their time to participate in the clinics free of charge as well. Since 2003, TPWF has sponsored 42 clinics in India.
"The services provided in this camp were much better than that of other camps I have helped with," Said Dr. Madhu Gupta. "It provided free and selfless services to this poverty-ridden population belt."
The organization is named after Prem Warat, former leader of the Divine Light Mission in India. The organization also gave $50,000 for food and water to Haiti following its recent earthquake.