When MOHAN Foundation commenced its efforts in Manipur in Northeast in 2019, an exceedingly underserved region, only one private hospital conducted renal transplants. Collaborating with Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), the state government hospital, the Foundation assisted in initiating their renal transplant program. Over the past two years, the hospital has successfully performed 51 transplants. When our team facilitated the first deceased organ donation in August 2023, the absence of an eye bank prevented corneal retrieval. It was disheartening to realize that, even in 2024, eye donation was not feasible.

Given the importance of corneal transplant, MOHAN Foundation started coordinating with National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) under National Health Mission, Manipur since April 2022. They then joined hands with L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad for training and other expertise. A formal tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the three organisations and the first eye bank of Manipur called “Manipur State Eye Bank” at State Ophthalmic Cell was inaugurated on November 29, 2023.

On January 18, 2024, with corneas generously provided by LVPEI, Manipur State Eye Bank conducted the first corneal transplant. 47 years old, Yumnam Surjit underwent the first corneal transplant.

Just one month after the first transplant, on February 12, 2024, Manipur hit history again with the first corneal donation. The donation was done at JNIMS: the corneal retrieval was done by the Manipur State Eye Bank team. With the retrieved cornea, a 38-year male underwent corneal transplant on February 15, 2024. The donation was closely coordinated by MOHAN Foundation team.