Prof Kelekar’s eyes donated

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2008-01-02
PANAJI- A posthumous deed of the Goan engineer, Prof Kashinath Kelekar on the eve of the New Year has not only brought light into the lives of two blind persons, but has also paved way for eye donations in the state.
The former principal of the Government Polytechnic, Panaji, Prof Kelekar breathed his last on December 31, 2008, but by then he had already taken a decision to donate his eyes to the needy even though there was a little chance of this wish getting fulfilled due to the absence of a proper infrastructure and medical assistance so much essential for eye donation.
Mr Aditya, the son of Prof Kelekar told ‘The Navhind Times’ that his ophthalmologist friend, Dr Sean D’Silva, currently settled in Vizag, Kerala, performed the surgery and the eyes, after due processing were send to an eye bank in Pune.
“Dr D’Silva was in Goa for Christmas celebrations and did not have the necessary tools, but as soon as I requested him to lend his skills, he did the job,” Mr Aditya informed, pointing out that the Rotary Club of Panaji, which runs Rotary Eye Bank of Goa, at the Vrindavan Hospital, was of great help.
Speaking further, Mr Aditya said the eyes need to be removed within six hours of the demise of a donor, and we achieved the same, apart from getting the ‘Letter of Interest’ from the Pune-based eye bank.
The president of the Rotary Club of Panaji, Mr Gaurish Dhond, speaking to this daily stated that the Rotary Eye Bank of Goa has managed to procure all the instruments required for eye donation, including the Rs 12-lakh specular microscope, which is a useful tool in analysing corneal endothelial and epithelial cells, and donated by Mr Anand Bose from Vasco.
Prof Kelekar had earlier attended a programme of our club and expressing interest in donating his eyes, made such a pledge, Mr Dhond said, adding, “Prof Kelekar’s family informed us about his unfortunate demise on December 31 and we immediately made all the arrangements for the surgery as well as sending the organs of sight to Pune.”
Mr Dhond also maintained that the eyes, after their removal should be utilised within 36 hours. “By now, the Eye Bank from Pune, which has a long waiting list of recipients, must have done the corneal transplant on two persons,” he predicted.
The president of the Rotary Club of Panaji also stated that the formal inauguration of the club’s Eye Bank would take place later this month.
“We have already been assured of all help by the government, including use of 108 ambulance services,” he ended.
The New Year may have brought hope in the lives of many individuals, but Prof Kelekar has done so by ensuring that at least two people will now be able to see this world in all its glory, through his eyes.