The Telangana government’s ambitious plan to perform over 40 lakh cataract surgeries during 2022-23 has resulted in the state lagging behind in comparison to other states that have surpassed their targets. As per recent data presented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare during the monsoon session of Lok Sabha, the state has achieved only 63% of its cataract surgery target for the specified period.
Under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment, Telangana had set a target of 4,09,900 cataract surgeries for 2022-23. However, by March 2023, the state could only manage to carry out 2,56,499 surgeries.
The states which have overachieved their target are Gujarat which had a target of 1,26,300 whereas 6,36,428 (504%) surgeries were performed followed by Goa which has a target of 5300 and 18,176 (343%) surgeries were performed. Haryana had a target of 1,09,900 and achieved 2,12,050 (193%); Punjab had a target of 1,32,400 and achieved 2,46,964 (187%) and Andhra Pradesh had a target of 2,27,500 whereas it achieved 4,04,841 (178%) surgeries.
