Mysore/Mysuru: An Eye Retrieval Centre was inaugurated at Mysore Race Club (MRC) Eye Hospital in Siddarthanagar here on Saturday.

The Eye Retrieval Centre is started jointly by Mysore Race Club (MRC) Charitable Trust and Lions International Eye Bank (A unit of Lions Club of Bangalore West Trust) and the Centre was inaugurated by MRC Chairman K.M. Chandregowda.

Speaking on the occasion, Chandregowda said that the Race Club began in 1891 and in 1991 it completed 100 years. To commemorate the 100 years, MRC Eye Hospital began functioning in 1994.

Pointing out that the Eye Hospital saw hurdles initially, Chandregowda said that a donation of Rs. 29 lakh was received from the Lions Club and later the Eye Hospital moved forward with help from donors and help from the Race Club, he added.

“The Hospital joined hands with the Government for eradication of blindness and 11 lakh patients were treated as out-patients. The Eye Hospital is providing medical service to residents of four districts including Mysuru,” he said.

About 83,000 people have undergone eye surgeries at the Hospital out of which the Hospital has conducted 33,000 free surgeries. The doctors and staff have worked hard for the growth of the Hospital besides providing the best service, Chandregowda said. 

District Governor of Lions International District 317G Ln. Dr. N. Krishnegowda said that the MRC has grown as an organisation and is providing the best service to the society and thanked erstwhile Mysore ruler Chamaraja Wadiyar for establishing MRC. He also lauded the then office-bearers of MRC for starting MRC Eye Hospital to provide the best eye care for the poor and the needy.

Lions International Eye Bank, Bengaluru, Medical Director Dr. Rekha Gyanchand, who also spoke, said that when there was no enough awareness on eye donation in Karnataka (1984), Lions International Eye Bank was established and every year awareness on eye donations are held in a unique way at Bengaluru.

Mysuru Industrialist R. Guru, District Governor of Lions International District 317A Ln. Suresh Ramu, Chairman of District Lions Service Foundation District 317G Ln. Devegowda, Managing Trustee of Lions Club of Bangalore West Trust Ln. P.S. Premnath, former MRC Chairmen B.G. Muthappa, Dr. N. Nithyanand Rao and Y.B. Ganesh, Trustees of MRC Charitable Trust Dr. T. Vijaykumar and Arjun Ranga and others were present.