Ravichandra Basnet of Isma Rural Municipality Ward No. 5 is stunned to see the outside world with both eyes. He was able to see the outside world clearly after cataract surgery on the left eye last January and on the right eye in May.

The 43-year-old, who has been suffering from eye problems for 8 years, underwent cataract surgery in both eyes for just 50 rupees. "I had to live blind," he said, "I am happy to see both eyes for free." He spent 50 rupees just to register his name.

Resunga municipality ward number 14 Tul Bahadur Reshmi was 74 years old. He had eye problems for 3 years and underwent cataract surgery 2 years ago on his right eye and now on his left eye.

Reshmi, who had blurred vision everywhere, has now seen both eyes clearly. He expressed his happiness that he got the free service saying that he did not spend a single rupee except for the registration of only 50 rupees. "I didn't have to go elsewhere for such a complex treatment", he said, "I wanted something else to be treated for free!" He said that there is good work in the health sector.

Not only that, 60-year-old Ghimkali Bucha of Chhatrakot Rural Municipality Ward No. 5 recalled that she had not seen her eyes for 4 years. She expressed her happiness that she got the treatment free of charge.

Similarly, Kamala Tandon of Chhatrakot was overjoyed after receiving free treatment for her 76-year-old father Churamani Kandel. She said that after an eye problem, the cataract problem was identified during the examination. Then she expressed her happiness that she will see the world for only 50 rupees.

These are just some examples. After Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh district eye treatment center partnered with the municipality and the municipality started paying the patients' fees, the patients themselves started getting treatment for only 50 rupees. Most of the patients who underwent eye surgery last Monday expressed their happiness that they went from darkness to light within just 50 rupees. Senior Ophthalmologist Prof. Dr. Kavindra Bajracharya of Lumbini Ophthalmology and Research Center Bhairahawa performed the surgery on the patient.

At present, senior citizens with health insurance get free treatment at the eye treatment center, only 20 percent of other patients with health insurance and after an agreement that the municipality pays 6,000 rupees per patient, the patients got free treatment.

Currently, this service is available to the citizens of Resunga municipality, Isma, Gulmi Darbar, Chhatrakot, Ruru area, Satyavati and Kaligandaki rural municipalities.

So far in the current financial year, 50 from Resunga, 27 from Isma, 37 from Gulmidarbar, 26 from Chhatrakot, 14 from Rurukshetra and 2 from Satyavati, a total of 156 patients have taken the services under which the municipality will pay the fee, informed the information officer of the eye treatment center Bir Bahadur Karki. In which 83 patients have taken this service under the free service provided by senior citizens who are insured by this municipality.

Apart from this, 29 patients from Dhurkot Rural Municipality, 8 from Madane Rural Municipality, 16 from Malika Rural Municipality, 28 from Musikot Municipality, 9 from Arghakhanchi and 5 from Baglung had to pay fees to get services here. Patients other than insured senior citizens have to pay the fee.

So far in the current financial year, a total of 330 people have undergone successful cataract surgery at this eye treatment center. In which the municipality paid 6 thousand rupees per patient, 123 patients and 33 patients who paid only 20 percent of those who were insured underwent surgery. 

Nepal Netra Jyoti Association District Eye Treatment Center Gulmi and the local municipality have been providing the service since the financial year 2079/080. Resunga, Isma and Gulmi palaces have started services in this regard.

Then Chhatrakot, Rurukshetra, Satyavati and Kaligandaki were added to this agreement. Soon after, Dhurkot rural municipality will also be included in this service agreement, said Surya Bahadur Basnet, head of the eye treatment center office.

According to him, the patients have also received free services through the camp. 138 people have taken free services through camps in Chandrakot, Satyavati, Ruru Kshetra rural municipality and Musikot municipality. Apart from Musikotama, other municipalities supported the treatment center in the camp. 

Akhileshwar Prasad Pandey, President of Nepal Netrajyoti Association District Eye Treatment Center, Gulmi, said that services have been started by making an agreement with the local municipality for the ease of patients. "We have made the patients comfortable by expanding the services and making agreements at the municipal level", he said, "Even the municipalities that are not connected with us are slowly connecting." It has operated a branch in Riddi of Ruru region and provided services. Soon after, there are plans to open a branch at Purtighat in Kaligandaki. Since July last year, the number of people taking the services of the eye treatment center has increased after joining the health insurance program. At present, an average of 60 to 70 people have taken the service daily. At