India currently requires 49 lakh surgeries to clear the backlog of blindness due to cataract and 53.63 lakh surgeries are needed to clear the backlog of severe visual impairment due to cataract. Over the next three years, an addition of 61.58 lakh surgeries are expected to be added to both these groups, according to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
The delays were caused due to medical establishments slowing down surgeries due to the pandemic in the last two years, he said on Monday.
A total of the three categories would be 164.22 lakh in three years. Cataract surgeries would be now done under a special campaign to clear the backlog and the States would be given guidance to conduct the same.
