AIOS Conference to Advance Eye Care and Innovation, Says Rajasthan CM

Jaipur, March 2026 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said the 84th Annual Conference of the All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) will serve as an important platform for knowledge exchange in eye care and promote collaboration among ophthalmologists and experts from India and abroad. He added that AIOS 2026 represents a commitment to building a “new vision, new thinking, and a new India.”

The Chief Minister made these remarks while addressing the conference at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC) in Sitapura on Thursday. He said the event would encourage discussions on new technologies, innovations, and advanced treatment methods in ophthalmology, which would ultimately strengthen eye-care services across the country.

Sharma noted that the outcomes and ideas emerging from the conference would open new possibilities in the field of eye care. He assured that the state government would extend full support in adopting new technologies, medicines, and surgical procedures in government hospitals across Rajasthan.

Highlighting the progress in India’s healthcare sector, the Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, significant developments have taken place in the medical and health sector. New medical colleges have been established, and further efforts are underway to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in the country. He added that the theme “Healthy Eyes, Happy Lives” reflects a strong social commitment toward improving eye health and quality of life.

Sharma emphasised that vision plays a crucial role in determining the quality of life, education, employment opportunities, and social participation of individuals. He pointed out that millions of people in India suffer from blindness or vision impairment, particularly among rural and economically weaker sections. According to him, technological innovations, public awareness, and strong policy initiatives can help eliminate preventable blindness.

He said that the scientific discussions, research findings, and innovations presented at the conference would bring light into the lives of millions of people by improving eye-care solutions and treatment methods.

The Chief Minister also highlighted several initiatives being implemented by the Rajasthan government to improve eye care services. Under the Chief Minister Ayushman Arogya Scheme, free treatment for eye-related diseases is being provided to citizens from poor and middle-income groups. In addition, a school eye-screening programme has been launched to identify and treat vision problems among children at an early stage.

Through the Jeevan Jyoti Project, mobile eye-care units are providing eye examinations and treatment in remote and rural areas, making healthcare services more accessible. Sharma also mentioned the growing awareness campaign promoting eye donation under the message “One donation brings light to two lives,” which is reaching households across the state.

The state government has also started special screening programmes to prevent blindness caused by diabetes. Rajasthan is adopting technological innovations such as AI-based retinal screening, telemedicine, and digital eye-care systems to ensure specialist services reach people in remote areas.

Sharma said the government is continuously working to strengthen the medical infrastructure in the state. He informed that the number of MBBS seats has been increased by 1,700, while postgraduate seats (in both government and private institutions) have increased by 469 and super-speciality seats by 54.

Construction of 15 new medical colleges is currently underway under the third phase of a centrally sponsored scheme. He added that the Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS) is being upgraded and the establishment of the Rajasthan Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) on the lines of AIIMS is progressing.

Additionally, 31 critical care blocks are being built at a cost of ₹815 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, of which two have already been completed.

The Chief Minister said ophthalmologists possess the unique ability to bring light into the lives of people living in darkness, which he described as nothing less than a divine gift. He urged doctors to use their knowledge, experience, and technology in support of government health programmes and appealed to them to organise medical camps in rural Rajasthan, provide free eye check-ups, and spread awareness about eye donation.

The conference, being held from March 12 to March 15, is expected to witness participation from more than 8,000 senior ophthalmologists, doctors, and researchers from around the world. The event includes scientific sessions, live surgery demonstrations, and workshops taking place simultaneously in 23 halls. An exhibition showcasing modern ophthalmology equipment and the latest eye-care technologies has also been organised.

During the event, the Chief Minister honoured Dr Tara Prasad Das and Dr S. Natarajan with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Several distinguished ophthalmologists from India and abroad, including Padma Shri Dr Jeevan Singh Titiyal, Dr Partha Biswas, Professor Peter McCluskey, and Professor Tetsuo Oshika, were present on the occasion.