Sant Hirdaram Nagar Bhopal based Sewa Sadan Eye Hospital in the partnership with International NGOs Wen Giving Foundation and Mission for Vision have launched two Vision Centres at Itarsi and Seoni Malwa towns of Hoshangabad District.
These Vision Centres were inaugurated by Suresh Awatramani, Trustee Sewa Sadan Eye Hospital on 26th August 2020. With the prevailing conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic, the opening of Vision Centres were launched virtually, where members attended the inauguration through video calls and the staff of these centres was physically present at the centre followed all the strict protocols and safety measures as laid down by the Government and local authorities.
Vision Centre Itarsi is at SBI Chauraha, Gali No. 1, Sindhi Colony while VC Seoni Malwa is at Prakash Traders, main road Banapura. These centres will open everyday except Sunday from morning 9 am to 1 PM and 2 to 6 PM.
The inaugural events were attended by L.C. Janiyani, Suresh Awatramani, Manoj Dhavadiya, Ms. Bharti Janyani of SSEH and team, Mei Wen, founder of NGO Wen Giving Foundation and Elizabeth Kurian, C.E.O Mission for Vision.
These primary eye care centres are equipped with state-of-the-art equipments and will cater the need of surrounding population of over Three Lakh ensuring early interception and treatment to prevent avoidable blindness probability in the region.
Suresh Awatramani, shared his thoughts on the occasion, he said Vision Centres that will provide primary eye care services to underserved areas of Itarsi and Seoni Malwa towns. This endeavour will take us one step closer to eliminating preventable blindness. Awatramani expressed gratitude to Wen Giving Foundation and Mission for Vision for their generous support in building eye care capacity in both towns.”
Elizabeth Kurian, C.E.O, Mission for Vision mentioned, “This marks the beginning of our partnership with Sewa Sadan Eye Hospital and through this collaboration, our aim is to serve all the eye health needs of the community.
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many people have been unable to access eye care easily. The launch of the Vision Centres will play a significant role in addressing the unfulfilled needs of these communities and adds to our efforts towards eradicating needless blindness.”
Vision centres are sustainable,accessible, primary eye care clinics that offer comprehensive services by trained optometrists or vision technicians at affordable rates. Services include primary eye care, referral services, follow-up and adequate awareness creation and eye health education in the community.
This globally proven model effectively reaches rural and marginalised populations and it encourages people to seek care earlier, preventing vision problems from worsening and enabling people to reintegrate into the work force faster. Vote of thanks was proposed by L.C. Janiyani managing trustee of SSEH.