The Institute of Social Works and Research (ISWAR), in collaboration with the State Directorate for Welfare of Persons with Disabilities, on Thursday observed the World Sight Day and World Mental Health Day here.
ISWAR general secretary and Odisha Disabled People Network chief Sannyas Kumar Behera demanded implementation of a universal eye health policy and allocation of more funds and resources for prevention of avoidable and curable blindness.
Behera said women face a significantly greater risk of vision loss than men. Two-thirds of blind people worldwide are women and girls while an estimated 19 million children are visually-impaired.
More than 12 million children in the age group of five to 15 are visually-impaired because of uncorrected refractive errors, conditions that could be easily diagnosed and corrected with glasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery.
Directorate for Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Deputy Director Ashok Kumar Behera said the State Government is very much aware about the concerns of blind people.