Dr.Kalyan Das
To evaluate the process of elimination of avoidable blindness under HBCEHP. An ongoing project (2014-2018), jointly done by an eye institute and INGO. 142 villages are covered. Seven steps: prioritisation, community mobilisation, re-survey and validation, screening by ophthalmologist, behaviour change communication, documentation and declaration. Implemented by project co-ordinator and monitored from base institute. CHWs ensure that patients get desired treatment. Out of 142 villages, 20 (14%) are avoidable blindness free. These 20 villages helped in providing surgical interventions to >1,500 patients, >1,200 received glasses and >5,000 health education, >3,800 people underwent eye screening. To eliminate avoidable blindness from intervention areas and to actually achieve it is very difficult. This model between a tertiary care eye institute and an INGO has successfully demonstrated it in the field. The learning will help other NGOs/ INGOs to benefit through this project in future.
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