Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has come forward to brighten the lives of children in the Northeast.
The cricketer has donated a retinal camera to the pediatric intensive care unit and neonatal intensive care unit at the Makunda Christian Leprosy and General Hospital in south Assam’s Karimganj district. Serious patients from the neighbouring states of Tripura and Mizoram also come here for treatment.
Tendulkar through his foundation has offered to donate retinal cameras which can help diagnose ‘retinopathy of pre-maturity’, a preventable complication among pre-term neonates (new-born) that can cause blindness.
This will benefit the nearly 45 per cent pre-term deliveries and 50 per cent pre-term admissions in its NICU.
Presently, the nearest facility for ROP screening is available only in Guwahati, which is about 360 kilometres far and an overnight journey from Karimganj.
Dr. Shajin MD, Consultant Pediatrician, Makunda Hospital thanked Tendulkar for his heartening act.
“We are thankful to the Sachin Tendulkar foundation for coming to our rescue in getting this device which will go a long way in helping a lot of premature babies, getting treated in our hospital from the rural communities,” Shajin said.