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NAME OF THE INSTITUTE
Sheth C.H. Nagri Municipal Eye Hospital, Ahmedabad (Gujarat)
STIPEND
- Monthly Remuneration: ₹15,000
- Financial Policy: One of the more modest stipends in the region; candidates should plan accordingly for living expenses in Ahmedabad.
DURATION
12 Months (1 Year)
HONEST REVIEW
- Selection Process: Admission is strictly merit-based, involving a competitive MCQ entrance examination followed by a personal interview. The program typically inducts only one fellow per session, ensuring focused faculty attention.
- Surgical Hands-on (Cornea): This is a standout program for Penetrating Keratoplasty (PKP). Because it is a municipal hospital with a high volume of therapeutic and optical cases, hands-on exposure starts as early as the first month.
- Lamellar Surgery: Training in DALK/DSEK is available but highly merit-dependent. Fellows can expect 10–15 cases, but this is contingent on demonstrating superior tissue handling skills in the initial months.
- Refractive Training: Offers solid foundational training in PRK and LASIK. Note that the facility currently lacks Femtosecond laser technology, so there is no hands-on exposure to SMILE or Femto-LASIK.
- Clinical Exposure: Fellows manage a diverse and heavy OPD load, seeing a wide array of corneal infections, dystrophies, and ocular surface disorders.
- Limitations: This is a specialized track; there is no hands-on training for Phacoemulsification or general cataract surgery.
- Duties & Schedule: Standard hours are 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Fellows are responsible for enucleation calls (eye bank duties). Sundays are generally off, with the exception of mandatory morning post-operative rounds.
PERSONAL OPINION
C.H. Nagri is a “Clinical Goldmine” for those who want to master traditional corneal transplantation and ocular surface management. It is a no-frills, high-volume government setup that rewards manual dexterity. It is the perfect choice for a fellow who already has their cataract skills polished and wants to spend a year becoming an expert in PKP and basic refractive surgery. However, if your goal is to learn the latest Femto-assisted technologies or to maintain a high Phaco volume, you may find this program restrictive.
