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Project 009 - Siloam's 40th Anniversary Appeal |
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Every week at the Siloam Thomas Eye Hospital modern medical ‘miracles’ take place on the eyes of the blind. For 40 years mother and son have sought to bring affordable eye care to those least able to afford medical care in and around the Coimbatore area of South India. Cataracts are performed almost routinely and other conditions diagnosed and treated in this subsidised hospital. Now the Siloam Thomas Eye Hospital would like to become a centre of excellence for the treatment and detection of glaucoma the ‘silent vision killer’ suffered by as much as 8% of the population in India. Your help in assisting Siloam to raise the £18,300.00 needed for this equipment will help our hospital become self-sufficient and provide high quality treatment normally beyond the reach of patients with little or no income. Dr Dev Thomas has a wealth of experience but his hands are often tied due to lack of funds to treat those least able to help themselves.
Dear Siloam friends Having lived in Chennai for at least 10 years and also worked at Siloam-India for almost 6, I am acutely aware of the extreme poverty that is still prevalent there. What makes matters even worse for the poorest of the poor in India’s lower social strata, is the inability to pay for urgent medical expenses. This is particularly poignant when it comes to a serious eye ailment like glaucoma, one of the major causes of preventable blindness. I am a long time patient still undergoing treatment and needing to be checked for any worsening eye condition (i.e. glaucoma) at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London twice a year. I apply eye drops twice a day to control pressure from building up at the back of my eye. Initially, I discovered I had a serious problem when I experienced black lines floating in my left eye and thereafter I saw ‘flashing lights’ occurring at night. If this condition had been ignored and left unchecked at that stage, it would have led to high pressure building up at the back of my eye which would ultimately lead to glaucoma. Furthermore, if this condition had been left unchecked, acute glaucoma would have occurred which would have led to my eventual blindness!!!
However, through God’s timely intervention and guidance, I underwent an eye operation at the world’s famous London Moorfields Eye Hospital in 1992, and my eyesight was partially saved. However, thanks to modern medical technology equipment manufactured by Zeiss that can detect the onset of glaucoma, the Nerve Fibre Analyser model GDX is available at a cost of £18,300.00.
As saving eyesight is the foundational ministry of Siloam in India, it is the desire of the UK Trustees to purchase this vital medical equipment. This will facilitate the early detection and timely treatment for glaucoma patients at the Siloam Thomas Eye Hospital in Coimbatore; many of whom are so poor they would just be unable to pay to save their own precious eyesight. What a tremendous blessing it would be when your valuable donation along with many others could be sent to Siloam as a result of you expressing your thanksgiving to the Lord when we celebrate His Resurrection this Easter. Yours sincerely
Michael Subbamani P.S. Gifts of £5, £10, £50, £100 when accumulated together will help us reach our target. Letter from John Eld, Trustee I was excited when, during a visit to the office, you told me that our hospital in India wanted to specialise in glaucoma treatment. I understand that they have had a machine on trial that makes detection and analysis of the condition quicker and more accurate and would like to purchase their own. As you know, I’ve had my own sight problems and appreciate first hand how vital good treatment is. I also know, from my visit to the hospital a few years ago, how respected their work is within the medical community. Anything that will help this work to move forward and further help those who would otherwise not be able to afford treatment has to be encouraged. The machine would also attract more paying cases to the hospital, making even more free treatment possible. It is my prayer that we and our supporters can rally together to raise the necessary funds for this valuable work which is carried out in the Name of Our Lord. Yours in Christ
John Eld
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under the Charities Act 1960 No. 327396 | Registered in the UK No. 2104165
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Malathy suffers with a congenital eye complaint caused by her parents being too closely related.
Mr Daniel suffers with conjunctivitis a very contagious condition which is also extremely painful.
Sometimes a childhood injury, like a blow from a cricket ball, can cause the start of glaucoma which manifests itself in later life.
Mrs Samiathal a frail 81 year old patient who over the years has returned for regular checkups. Both eyes have been operated on, first by the founder of the hospital (left) Dr Sarojini Thomas and later by her son Dr Dev Thomas.
Leprosy patients are screened where they live in basic government colonies but they are treated like any other patient for glaucoma or cataract to improve what quality of life they still have. 
Trusted staff at the Siloam Thomas Eye Hospital struggle to manage on basic wages in the face of rising prices. Their dedication to duty is most praiseworthy.
Routine eye operations take place weekly at the Siloam Thomas Eye Hospital to help recover the eyesight of patients suffering with a multitude of vision threatening conditions.
Often the young are affected by injuries at work in Coimbatore city which is known as the Manchester of South India because of the textile trade.
Examining a young lady with a ‘slit lamp’ checking for damage at the back of the eye.
Dr Sarojini Thomas also has a special place in her heart to help those who are actually blind and beyond medical treatment. She arranges handicrafts like candle making and provides special speaking computer keyboards, that can help patients earn a living and support themselves.
