Mumbai, March 14, 2024: JSW Foundation, Standard Chartered Bank and Sightsavers India have come together to launch a Rural Eye Health Programme, which aims at reducing the prevalence of blindness in Maharashtra’s Raigad district to less than 0.3% in three years.
The three-year project is designed to cater to the specific eye care needs of Raigad's estimated population of 2.6 million. Primary objectives include ensuring accessible and affordable primary and secondary eye care services for the population and fortifying the health systems in the district for eye health care.
The RAAB study conducted by AIIMS in Thane district highlights alarming statistics -- 2.09% of individuals aged 50 and above are blind, with 12.98% experiencing visual impairment. A subsequent internal assessment for Raigad district uncovered a backlog of 6,014 cataract cases, underscoring the pressing need to address eye health in the area.
The implementation of this project in Raigad district is poised to yield significant outcomes, including the establishment of seven vision centres, conducting a remarkable 292 camps, and screening 124,360 individuals. Moreover, the project aims to provide 23,862 dispensed prescription glasses, addressing the critical need for visual aids. Additionally, it plans to perform 16,870 cataract surgeries, a vital intervention for those suffering from this prevalent condition. These numbers underscore the project's commitment to improving access to eye care services and enhancing the quality of life for thousands in need.
Karuna Bhatia, Head of Sustainability, India, Standard Chartered Bank & Global Business Services (GBS), said, “Recognising the pressing need for a resilient eye health system tailored to meet the demands of our identified areas, we acknowledge the imperative for a comprehensive strategy to curtail blindness prevalence. The Rural Eye Health Programme launch in Raigad district, Maharashtra, is strategically designed to address the existing backlog of blindness within the project's three-year timeframe. We aim to make a tangible impact on the prevalence of visual impairment, contributing to the overarching goal of creating a robust and sustainable eye health system in Raigad district."
Ashwini Saxena, CEO, JSW Foundation said, “The vision screening intervention serves the most at-need communities under JSW Foundation’s comprehensive healthcare services. We conduct vision screening camps and provides free spectacles for refractive errors and conduct free cataract surgeries to avert permanent blindness. This collaboration broadens the horizon of healthcare accessibility for underserved communities. With our combined efforts, expertise and resources we will be able to scale our efforts and ensure that communities have access to quality healthcare for a better tomorrow.”
RN Mohanty, CEO of Sightsavers India, said, “In alignment with the World Health Organisation's Health Systems Strengthening framework and steadfast support of the National Eye Care Plan and Vision 2020 priorities of the country, our initiative is set to redefine eye health in collaboration with the government, not-for-profit organisations, and local eye hospitals. Our collective aim is clear: to significantly reduce the prevalence of avoidable blindness and elevate access to essential eye care services for the underserved population. We are poised to make a lasting impact through strategic partnerships and a commitment to strengthening health systems and ensuring quality eye care."
This collaboration aims to mitigate the substantial prevalence of visual impairment in the region while expanding Sightsavers India's rural eye health programme into a previously unexplored geography.
JSW Foundation, under its Health and Nutrition programme, has been supporting communities by conducting vision screening camps to help detect refractive errors and correct them with prescription glasses and also conducting free cataract surgeries. Under this programme, in addition to vision screening and correction camps, government vision correction centres will also be established along with equipment support.
As part of its enduring commitment, Standard Chartered Bank, through its 'Seeing is Believing' initiative, has been a steadfast collaborator with Sightsavers India for over two decades, actively participating in eye health programs nationwide. With the continued support of Standard Chartered Bank, Sightsavers India has successfully fortified eye care services in various regions, including the Sundarbans and Kolkata urban slums.
