Chennai, April 29, 2024: Aiming at tackling the pressing issue of cataract blindness backlog in Tamil Nadu, Titan Company Ltd and Sankara Eye Hospital have joined hands to spearhead the first-of-its-kind initiative under which over 2,24,000 individuals were screened for eye health and 3,174 free cataract surgeries were performed.
Employing the innovative Key Informant Methodology (KIM), the programme engaged local communities in identifying and treating eye diseases, empowering them with essential skills and tools. This grassroots approach led to the successful treatment of 17,001 persons with various eye ailments, including 9,153 provided with free corrective spectacles. Additionally, the collaboration extended its services to include the treatment of other eye disorders such as Glaucoma, Retina, Cornea, and Occuloplasty, with a total of 367 specialty surgical procedures performed thus far.
In Annur Taluk alone, the programme achieved an impressive 100% coverage of all villages, conducting 884 surgeries and issuing 3927 spectacles within 18 months. Prior to this initiative, Titan's monthly Gift Of Vision outreach camps typically saw 10 to 12 cases per month, a figure that has now quadrupled. Notably, the initiative has not only restored sight but also empowered communities, with an estimated monetary benefit to society of Rs 14.32 crore.
N E Sridhar, Chief Sustainability Officer, Titan Company Limited, said, "Titan is honored to support this historic initiative, which has brought light and hope to thousands across Tamil Nadu. We stand with Sankara Eye Hospital in our shared mission to pioneer impactful change in people's lives. As we celebrate the accomplishments achieved thus far, we remain resolute in our mission to drive awareness for eye health for a brighter future. Together with Sankara Eye Hospital and our collaborative efforts, we are committed towards our shared vision of a cataract free Tamil Nadu.”
The Key Informant Methodology (KIM) is a social mobilization strategy aimed at enabling community-based diagnosis, treatment, and provision of assistive devices for people with disabilities in hard-to-reach regional and rural areas with low to middle-income demographics. Key Informants, including Self Help Groups, college students, Panchayat staff, and local NGO personnel, were identified and trained by Titan's medical team to conduct basic eye screenings and online data collection. Equipped with screening kits, these informants played a crucial role in identifying individuals within their communities and referring them to our community outreach programs, supported by a stipend.
Moving forward, the programme will continue to ensure comprehensive treatment for all remaining blind patients, advancing towards the vision of a cataract free Tamil Nadu.
