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NAME OF THE INSTITUTE
JPM Rotary Eye Hospital, Cuttack, Odisha
(A prominent charitable trust hospital in Eastern India, known for its community outreach and DNB training program.)
STIPEND & LOGISTICS
- Monthly Remuneration: Typically follows the standard trust hospital scale for Odisha (₹30,000 – ₹40,000 range; subject to 2026 updates).
- Bond: No bond (A significant advantage for flexibility).
- Accommodation: Usually available on-campus or nearby for fellows.
DURATION
18 Months (1.5 Years)
HONEST REVIEW
- Surgical Hands-on (SICS Focus):
- Timeline: OT access and surgical training for SICS typically begin around the 3rd month.
- Structure: OT sessions are held 3 times a week. Initially, only one case is allotted per trainee.
- The “Competition” Factor: Fellows must share OT tables and case allotments with DNB residents and external paid trainees (who come for short-term Phaco/SICS courses). This can sometimes limit the daily volume for the long-term fellow.
- Progression: Surgical volume increases toward the final 6 months of the tenure.
- Phacoemulsification Training:
- Exposure: Limited. Phaco training is highly dependent on the specific consultant you are posted with.
- Timeline: You may only receive Phaco hands-on during the last 1–2 months of the fellowship.
- Clinical & Specialty Exposure:
- General Clinic: Decent volume of cataract and anterior segment pathologies.
- Refractive: There is no refractive surgery training (LASIK/PRK) in this track.
- Work Culture & Duties:
- Environment: Highly rated for being non-toxic and supportive.
- Pace: Described as “not very hectic,” allowing for a better work-life balance compared to the high-pressure environments of some “surgical factories.”
- Peripheral Duties: Fellows visit peripheral vision centers 3–4 times a month (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM) and have approximately 3 evening duties per month.
- Academics: Strong academic culture with PG seminars held every alternate day. Consultants are noted for being dedicated teachers during clinical postings.
PERSONAL OPINION
JPM Rotary Cuttack is a “Gentle Surgical Start.” It is an ideal program for an ophthalmologist who values a healthy, non-toxic learning environment and a solid academic foundation over raw surgical numbers. While the Phaco volume is low and you have to share cases with short-term trainees, the lack of a bond and the supportive consultancy make it a stress-free environment to master high-quality SICS. It is a great choice for those who plan to pursue a second, more intensive Phaco-specific training later.
