Compassion Amid Calamity
When the Adampur Lions Club of District 321D was chartered in 1995, few could have predicted how profoundly it would change eye care in Punjab. Starting with modest initiatives like tree planting and supporting underprivileged students, the club soon found its true calling in addressing preventable blindness.
Led by Charter President Dr. Sarv Mohan Tandon, the club began organizing eye camps in partnership with Guru Nanak Mission Hospital Jalandhar. These camps, initially held at Arya Samaj Mandir in Adampur, revealed an overwhelming need for dedicated eye care services in the region.
Recognizing this need, club members established the Lions Eye Hospital Charitable Society in 2010. They purchased a 750-square-yard plot and constructed a modest facility that would grow to become a vital healthcare resource. Under the leadership of Chairperson Dashwinder Kumar, all 28 members actively contribute to the hospital’s mission.
The hospital has developed important international partnerships with organizations including Eye For The World (Vancouver, Canada), Wanstead and Woodford (London), and the Red Bridge and Fairlop Organization. These partners sponsor free eye camps and provide other essential support.
Today, the hospital occupies a multi-story building with specialized facilities. The basement houses the operation theater, pre-operation rooms, and doctor rest areas. The ground floor contains the chairman’s office, reception, laboratory, optical shop, and outpatient departments. The upper floors serve as patient lodging during free eye camps.
The quality of care and the hospital’s ongoing development caught the attention of Lions Clubs International Foundation, which awarded a grant of $145,158 in 2018. Society Secretary M.K. Jaggi notes that this funding helped introduce modern equipment for eye surgeries.
Continuing its growth, the society purchased an additional 1,000 square yards of adjoining land to expand into a multi-specialty hospital that will further serve the local community. Construction of this new building is already underway.
Accessibility remains central to the hospital’s mission. Regular outpatient visits cost only Rs.30, while cataract surgeries are priced at just Rs.2,100. Patients referred through rural and urban camps receive completely free screening and operations.
The hospital also provides free transportation for patients following camps and maintains an in-house kitchen to serve those admitted for surgery. Its reach extends throughout Jalandhar district and beyond.
With skilled doctors, dedicated paramedical staff, and the unwavering support of club members, the Lions Eye Hospital continues to restore sight and hope. District leadership, including PIP Dr. Naresh Aggarwal and the District Governor team, provide ongoing guidance to this remarkable initiative.