Sharada Netralaya

Sri Sharada Netralaya is a charitable eye hospital set up within the premises of the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Belagavi. It was established with the noble purpose of rendering quality eye care to the community, particularly to those belonging to the economically weaker sections of society who cannot afford private medical care.

Started in 2008 in an independent single-storeyed building, the Netralaya conducts screening camps twice a week with suture-less surgeries and same-day discharge. As of end 2023, over 23,000 patients have been screened and more than 7,000 cataract surgeries performed free of cost.

Named after Sri Sarada Devi — the Holy Mother, who is revered as the embodiment of compassion — Sri Sharada Netralaya embodies the ideal of service as worship. The hospital is situated in the Ashrama premises at Fort, Belagavi, making it accessible to patients from the city and surrounding rural areas.

The Netralaya is staffed by qualified ophthalmologists and trained paramedical personnel who are committed to providing professional and compassionate care. Patients are received with warmth and treated with dignity, regardless of their financial background. The hospital is equipped with modern diagnostic and surgical equipment to ensure high-quality outcomes.

Since 2006, Sri Sharada Netralaya has been conducting free cataract surgeries for patients who cannot afford the cost of treatment. Cataract is one of the leading causes of avoidable blindness in India, particularly among the elderly and the rural poor. By providing free cataract surgeries, the Netralaya has restored the gift of sight to hundreds of patients who would otherwise have had no access to such treatment.

The free surgery programme is made possible through the generous contributions of donors and well-wishers of the Ashrama. Cataract screening camps are also organised in rural areas to identify patients in need and bring them to the hospital for treatment. These camps serve as an important outreach mechanism to ensure that eye care reaches those who are most in need.

All surgical procedures are performed under sterile conditions following established medical protocols. Post-operative care and follow-up are provided to all patients to ensure successful recovery. The Netralaya takes pride in the high success rate of its cataract surgeries, which have given beneficiaries a new lease of life.

Beyond cataract surgeries, Sri Sharada Netralaya renders a wide range of eye care services to the community. These include diagnosis and treatment of refractive errors, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, corneal diseases, and other common eye conditions. Prescription glasses are provided at subsidised rates to patients with refractive errors.

Sri Sharada Netralaya stands as a shining example of the Ramakrishna Mission's philosophy of “Shiva Jnane Jiva Seva” — serving man as God. By alleviating suffering and restoring vision, the hospital fulfils the Mission's core commitment to the physical and social welfare of the community it serves.

Sri Sharada Netralaya was started in 2008 in an independent single-storeyed building within the Ashrama premises. The clinic was inaugurated in the presence of senior monks of the Ramakrishna Order, local dignitaries, doctors, and well-wishers of the Ashrama. Since its inception, the Netralaya has grown into a well-equipped facility conducting screening camps twice a week, with suture-less cataract surgeries and same-day discharge — a model of efficient and compassionate healthcare delivery.