Written by Rhea Matthews, Sr. Manager – Communications, Mission for Vision
My first field visit with Mission for Vision (MFV) took me to Nashik, Maharashtra. I went there expecting to learn more about our programmes on the ground, but what stayed with me was beyond programme information. It was a conversation with a farmer named Tukaram (name changed), just hours after he had undergone cataract surgery.
One of my visits was to Tulsi Eye Hospital (TEH), a longstanding partner of MFV. Along with my colleague Pravin Gend, Senior Field Supervisor at MFV, I was walking through the ward when I noticed two elderly men in their late sixties resting on their beds. They had undergone cataract surgery only about an hour earlier.
As I walked past, they heard me and looked up. One of them asked in Marathi, “तुम्हाला काय पाहिजे का?” (“Do you need anything from us?”). Pravin explained that we had come to understand their experience at the hospital. To my surprise, both men immediately sat up and were eager to speak with us.
One of them was Tukaram, a farmer who has spent most of his life working in the fields. He left school after Grade 1 and started working to support his family. Even today, with the support of his sons and wife, he continues to work in the rice fields and contribute to dairy farming. But for nearly a year, his declining eyesight had made even these regular tasks increasingly difficult. Walking across uneven ground and puddles had become challenging. He had lost his balance several times and started depending on his son for things he had managed on his own for years.
When Tukaram Decided to Go for Surgery
Tukaram learnt about a nearby Vision Centre (VC) from a relative and visited the centre in Kopargaon. He was diagnosed with cataract in his right eye and referred to TEH for surgery. Under the programme, the surgery was provided at no cost, along with accommodation, food and travel between the Vision Centre and the hospital.
Sitting with him after his surgery, I could see the relief on his face. He spoke about wanting to return to work soon and get back to his daily routine.
What Feels Ordinary Can Mean a Lot
As part of the patient feedback survey, Pravin enquired about his experience, the counselling before surgery, the behaviour of the hospital staff, cleanliness, and even the bus journey from the VC.
Tukaram was happy with the care he had received. But one answer that left a lasting impact on me was this:
“मी घरी पोत्यावर झोपतो, त्यामुळे इथली व्यवस्था माझ्यासाठी खूप चांगली आहे. घरी मोठं कुटुंब असल्यामुळे जेवणही मर्यादित असतं. इथे मात्र पोटभर जेवण मिळतं आणि त्यासाठी पैसेही द्यावे लागत नाहीत. यापेक्षा आणखी काय हवं?” (“If I can sleep on a sack at home, this is luxury for me. At home, we have a big family, so the food we eat is limited. Here, I get enough food and I don’t have to pay for it. What more could I ask for?”)
His answer made me pause. A clean bed, a meal and a place to rest may seem basic, but for Tukaram, they were meaningful experiences of being cared for at a time when he needed it the most.
From Patient to Ambassador
After nearly an hour of conversation, I thought we had covered everything. But just as we were about to leave, Tukaram called out to me. He made a promise that will stay with me for a long.
“मी डोळ्यांच्या आरोग्याचे महत्त्व माझ्या गावातील आणि आजूबाजूच्या लोकांपर्यंत पोहोचवेन. इतक्या लोकांना ऑपरेशनसाठी घेऊन येईन की रुग्णांनी भरलेली बसच रुग्णालयात येईल.” (“I will spread the word about the importance of eye health in my village and ensure a bus full of people come to the hospital for treatment.”)
Tukaram had come to Tulsi Eye Hospital as a patient. He was leaving with a different role in mind, encouraging his neighbours, friends and family to take their eye health seriously and seek treatment when needed.
As I left the ward, I found myself thinking less about the surgery itself and more about what might happen next.
As the saying goes, it takes a village to bring about change. Tukaram is ready to take that message back to his village, one person at a time. And he is not alone. There are many more such Tukarams in villages across the country who share their experiences, encourage others to take care of their eyes and, in their own way, become ambassadors for eye health in their communities.
For me, this interaction was also a reminder of what is possible when good care extends beyond the procedure itself. Seeing the work of Mission for Vision and its partners up close, and the care that continues before, during and after treatment, gave me a deeper appreciation of the organisation I had chosen to be part of, and the value it places on truly end-to-end care.
About the Author:
Rhea Mathews is the Senior Manager, Communications at Mission for Vision, where she manages projects across storytelling, digital content, donor engagement and behaviour change campaigns to amplify MFV’s work and impact and connect it with wider audiences.