Mahila Mandal Barmer Agor

Jetaram Meghwal Male 67 years is S/O Mahesha Ram Meghwal Village Boi, Sundara GP. His family belongs to Meghwal Communit (SC) having with very poor condition. All his daughters were married and he lives alone with his wife. Agriculture is the main source of income, that too he has perform with his wife’s assistance.

Before intervention of MMBA, Jetaram was literally blind because of well-developed cataract. Because of superstitious belief and prevailing economic situation he did not took initiative to check his eyes. His movement was totally restricted and it was his wife who took care his daily needs.

When Jetaram was identified as matured cataract client, our field worker constantly visited his house. His house is situated in the midst of sand dunes called Boi 170 Km from Barmer district headquarters. In our project area at Sheo, reaching this village is the most challenging task. One can see only huge and huge sand dunes with extremely scattered population. Hamlets can be seen only for every five-kilo meters that each hamlets having population of 20-40. Despite this huge geographical challenge, our CES field staff went at least five times to convince him cataract operation. By showing other successfully cataract operated clients in his village, our staff prepared him for cataract operation. Because of our constant effort, Jetaram was successfully operated at Netra Jyothi Hospital on 02-10-2004.

Because of this difficult desert terrain and scattered population, numbers of cataract patients are less in this area. This resulted in less number of cataract operations when compared to other clusters. At the same time, travel expenses to reach NJH are high which restricts the villagers to approach NJH for eye care services. To overcome these difficulties, organizing camp in this cluster can be best solution. But again when considering the cost factor, even organizing camp in this cluster is quiet expensive. From our recent experience, we did organized community screening camp in this cluster where number of patients turned up to this camp is hardly 40 and out of these only 10 where selected. Despite, geographical and scattered demographic factor, MMBA was able to bring Jetaram to NJH hospital and he was successfully operated. Today, Jetaram leads an independent life, able to move freely and helps his wife in household cores. Recovery of field vision helps him to take care his sheep/goat the only asset possessed by him.

He is very happy that his vision is recovered. He said, now he can take care his wife and make some income over cattle rearing. One promising statement he made is now he will work as a volunteer in his own village and convince others for cataract operation.

His three daughters were happy to see his father moving independently. Because of our constant effort, his daughters promised us that they would convince their in-laws for cataract operation.
In a way successful recovery of vision of Jetaram has helped our field staffs to convince other cataract clients for operation. Whenever they approach new clients, they give example of life of Jetaram before operation and changes after marriage. Now villagers are cooperative in helping our field staffs to know the cataract patients.