World Sight Day Happenings in India

Country Office

On the occasion of World Sight Day, the Delhi office had organised a free eye health check-up camp at the Okhla Industrial Estate Association premises in Okhla Phase III from 10 AM to 6 PM. Okhla Industrial Area is well known for the number of cottage industries and labourers who work here and Sightsavers in association with Okhla Industrial Area Association thought that there could be nothing better than arranging for such an eye health camp. The screening was conducted by doctors from the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and had provided the following services free-of-charge to all participants:

1. Comprehensive eye screening exam, which will check the visual status of the eye and also screen for diseases such as cataract, glaucoma, etc.
2. Instant blood sugar test to check for diabetes and possibility of diabetic retinopathy
3. Prescription of lens power and medication if required
4. Medical consultation on any other eye-related problems
5. Eye care tips to deal with computer-stress and other common visual problems

There was a huge turnout at the camp with people waiting their turn to be examined. The ribbon cutting was done by RN Mohanty and Rajan Sharma (Sr. Vice President Luxor India). On the eve of World Sight Day the Delhi office had done an awareness walk with the help of external volunteers and our Delhi staff.

The Kolkata Urban Comprehensive Eye Care project celebrated World Sight Day 2014 with various activities. It started with a cataract screening camp in the morning at the premises of Susrut Hospital. The project screened around 400 slum dwellers of Kolkata. The campaign about this camp has run in major regional dailies on, 6^th, 7^th and 8^th of September. In the evening, the Honourable Minister of State – Health and Family Welfare Mrs Chandrima Bhattachrya along with the Director of Health Services – West Bengal Dr BR Satapati and other dignitaries had attended an awareness programme. An Eye Health Helpline was inaugurated by the Minister which will function 8 hours, 6 days a week to provide all types of eye health service information. 26 Ophthalmologists around the state have been roped in this help line for information and services. Attached is a photo of the event.

Bhopal Office

Sightsavers (North India Area Office) took the opportunity of partnering with Radio Mirchi and together talked about the theme of WSD, awareness for Eye Health and avoidable blindness. Interesting facts around eye health and information on World Sight Day was broadcasted in the morning slot of ‘Hello Bhopal’ from 8.30 to 11.00 am. The need for eye care and other tips on how to take care of eyes were other some of the other topics covered. To ensure participation of the audience, a quiz was arranged and responses were sought through text message. Care was taken to make the questions easy to understand and ensure there was complete participation. There was good response from the audience and gifts were declared for winners. RJ Roopak also played quite a few movie songs on eyes.

Inauguration of a Vision Centre

The Vision Centre at Anandnagar was inaugurated by Dr. Nisha Mishra, District Programme Manager of Bhopal district, in the presence of zonal officer of Municipal corporation, ward corporators and Sightsavers staff. The Vision Centre covered some 37 slums and a population of about 50,000 persons. On the day of the inauguration of the Vision Centre, a camp was organised and the OPD number by the end of the day was 210 of which 80% were women. About 23 persons were identified with cataracts and were sent to the Sewa Sadan Eye hospital. Patients from Chandbad who underwent surgery and got their eye sight restored were also invited to share their experience to motivate the community.