Dr. Motup Angmo, Consultant Ophthalmologist at SNM Hospital, Leh, has been conferred with the Dr. Sharat Chandra Das Endowment ACOIN Award 2024 by the Association of Community Ophthalmologists of India (ACOIN). This prestigious national honour recognises her outstanding commitment, dedication, and service in advancing community eye health care across the Indian subcontinent.

Joining SNM Hospital in 2017, Dr. Angmo has been a cornerstone of Ladakh’s eye care services. Since 2018, she has been single-handedly managing the Ophthalmology Department, handling both outpatient and inpatient services, performing a wide range of extraocular and intraocular surgeries, including emergency procedures, and administering intravitreal injections for retinal conditions.

Her relentless dedication is reflected in her 24/7 emergency availability for over six years, often visiting her family in Nubra Valley only twice a year.

Beyond hospital duties, Dr. Angmo has played a pivotal role in bringing quality eye care to Ladakh’s remotest regions, conducting numerous outreach and school eye-screening camps across Changthang, Nubra, Sham, and Kargil. She has also contributed significantly to capacity building, teaching AMT students and training nursing staff and ophthalmic assistants, thereby nurturing future eye care professionals in the region.

Despite being selected as an Assistant Professor at Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, Dr. Angmo chose to continue serving in Ladakh—motivated by a profound sense of duty and compassion for her community. Over the years, she has performed more than 3,000 eye surgeries, making a lasting impact in reducing preventable blindness across the Union Territory.

On behalf of the Directorate of Health Services, Ladakh, Dr. Tashi Thinlas, Director Health Services, extended heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Motup Angmo, describing her as “an inspiration and a shining example of professionalism, compassion, and service.” He lauded her remarkable contribution to strengthening Ladakh’s health system and advancing community eye health.