Pediatric Eye Care Services in India Get a Boost with Launch of New Manual
Orbis, an international non-profit organization dedicated to preventing avoidable blindness, and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS have teamed up to launch a new manual aimed at mapping and enhancing the resources available for pediatric eye care services in India. The manual, called Eye Care Manual on Mapping of Human Resource and Infrastructure for Pediatric Eye Care Services in India, is a response to the increasing concerns around the availability of manpower and infrastructure in India’s eye healthcare industry.
The manual provides an in-depth analysis of the current state of pediatric eye care services in different regions of India, including information on the availability of services, infrastructure, and human resources for pediatric ophthalmology. Data from the All-India Ophthalmological Society and the National Program for the Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare were used to develop the manual.
“This manual is a crucial step towards ensuring that children receive the best possible eye care and preventable blindness is reduced,” said Dr. Praveen Vashist, Professor and Officer In-charge, Community Ophthalmology at Dr. R.P. Centre. “Assessing and bridging the gap in service delivery through mapping resources and infrastructure is essential in mitigating childhood blindness,” added Dr. Jeevan Singh Titiyal, Chief of Dr. R.P. Centre.
Orbis and Dr. R.P. Centre have been involved in various initiatives aimed at improving pediatric eye care in India, including a 2006 national survey on HR & Infrastructure for Control of Childhood and Corneal Blindness, the establishment of a Children’s Eye Centre at Dr. R.P. Centre, and strategic planning for Orbis partners under the Eye Care Management project. The manual is expected to play a vital role in the development of the pediatric eye care sector in India and bridge the gap in service delivery.
“We’re thrilled to see the progress being made in partnership with Dr. R.P. Centre and the valuable insights captured in this manual,” said Derek Hodkey, President and CEO of Orbis. “This publication provides a comprehensive analysis of pediatric eye care services and is a vital tool for the growth of the pediatric eye care sector.”
