Defence Secretary and Southern Command Chief Oversee Vision-Restoring Surgical Eye Camp at Bhuj

Rajesh Kumar Singh, the Defence Secretary of India's Ministry of Defence, recently visited a Surgical Eye Camp at Military Hospital Bhuj. This event was organized in collaboration with the Army Hospital (Research & Referral) in New Delhi and accompanied by Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Command.

The eye camp, conducted under the Southern Command's supervision, spanned from February 3 to February 5, 2026. It successfully restored the vision of over 200 veterans, their family members, and civilians from the Kutch region. This initiative is a significant medical outreach endeavor aimed at a remote and strategically critical border area.

During the visit, the Defence Secretary interacted with patients in the post-operative wards, inquiring about their recovery and distributing post-operative medicines and spectacles to some of the beneficiaries. He also honored Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra, along with the surgical team from Army Hospital (R&R), acknowledging their exceptional dedication and the high-quality ophthalmic care provided under challenging conditions.

The Defence Secretary praised the initiative, describing it as a remarkable example of the Indian Army’s dedication to veterans’ welfare and effective collaboration between military and civil sectors. He emphasized the significant improvements such programs bring to the quality of life and healthcare access for residents in remote and border areas.

This outreach effort served nearly 3,000 people across the Kutch district, including residents from over 120 villages in Bhuj Taluka. Border villages such as Lakhpat, Narayan Sarovar, and Dayapar were part of the areas reached. The camp utilized advanced ophthalmic equipment and high-quality intraocular lenses for cataract and corrective surgeries, maintaining stringent clinical and safety protocols.

By providing specialized eye care in remote and strategically important regions, the Indian Army upholds its commitment to service. This initiative bridges healthcare gaps, strengthens community trust, and reaffirms the Army's dedication to national service and community welfare.