Home / Health / Goa Eyes New Era: GMC Corneal Transplant Centre Nears Launch
Goa Eyes New Era: GMC Corneal Transplant Centre Nears Launch
11 Mar
Summary
- GMC's ophthalmology department applied for a corneal transplant centre license.
- An MoU with Lions International Eye Bank, Bengaluru, is in place.
- Rs 40 lakh was sanctioned under the national health mission.
The health minister of Goa announced that the GMC's department of ophthalmology has applied for a license to operate as a corneal transplant centre. This move signifies a significant step towards re-establishing an eye bank in the state, which has been without one for several years.
To support this venture, GMC has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Lions International Eye Bank in Bengaluru for the supply of corneal tissues. The department has already procured essential equipment worth Rs 38.7 lakh, funded by a Rs 40 lakh sanction under the national health mission. Recruitment and training of eye bank personnel are currently pending.
The state's previous eye bank, Rotary Eye Bank, had its license renewal denied due to non-compliance with regulations. The inspection for GMC's new centre license was conducted in December 2025, and a decision is awaited pending the committee's report.
