Uttar Pradesh forms task force for corneal transplants

Uttar Pradesh is set to establish a dedicated task force aimed at strengthening its corneal transplant ecosystem. This announcement was made by Amit Ghosh, additional chief secretary, during a high-level medical dialogue in Lucknow on Saturday. The initiative stems from a state-level brainstorming session focused on tackling corneal blindness, which is largely reversible yet affects thousands due to systemic issues.

The proposed task force will comprise senior government officials, representatives from SOTTO-UP, and leading cornea transplant surgeons. Its primary responsibilities will include improving coordination, upgrading infrastructure, and expanding patient access to effective corneal transplant services. India's national data indicates a significant gap between cornea retrieval and transplantation needs, with a substantial number of people currently suffering from corneal blindness and new cases emerging annually.