SHILLONG: The National Programme for control of Blindness – Meghalaya, in collaboration with Bansara Eye Care Centre, will observe the World Sight Day by pledging to work towards Blindness Free Village in the State starting with the observance of World Sight Day on October 9.
Blindness Free Village means that no one is left with presenting visual acuity of less than 6/60 in better eye with curable conditions.
October 9 is celebrated as World Sight Day to create awareness and build focus on blindness and visual impairment. On this day, eye care fraternity works together to raise awareness of blindness & visual impairment as major public health issue; influence government/ Ministry of Health to participate in and designate funds for national blindness prevention programs and educate target audience about blindness prevention; VISION 2020: The Right to Sight initiatives and to generate support to for VISION 2020 India programme activities.
Blindness-free village will be achieved by following a set of procedures over 45 to 50 days through community participation and service delivery.
A combination of community participation and service provision will be exercised to achieve the goal of blindness free village.
Community Eye Health Workers (CHWs) will reach out to every household in the village. Elected representatives, opinion leaders, youth groups, self-help groups, and Government Primary Health Care Workers such as AWW, ASHA etc. will be involved in awareness creation, motivation, care and follow-up of patients.
CHWs will be supported by a project team headed by Coordinator of Bansara Eye Hospital and will be involved in conducting group meetings and individual counseling. Bansara Eye hospital will also be involved by providing treatment, transportation, counselors, and validation of status by Optometrist/ Vision Technician etc.