The Government of Odisha signed a MoU with UK-based Sightsavers as per which the latter will support the State Government health systems, especially blindness control programmes, for three years.
The districts covered in the MoU are Kalahandi, Bargarh, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Gajapati, Dhenkanal, Anugul, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Khordha, Cuttack and Ganjam. Director, Health Services Dr Kailash Chandra Das on behalf of the Government of Odisha and CEO Sightsavers India RN Mohanty signed the MOU. Commissioner cum Secretary Dr Pramod Kumar Meherda was present.
The programme will be operationalized through three broad areas: Rural Eye Health, Urban Eye Health and School Eye Health programme for school going students. The programme will cover District Headquarters Eye Hospital, Sub-divisional eye hospitals, CHCs where there are gaps in ophthalmic equipment and human resources. For community level, eye screening and identification, the programme will train 15,000 ASHA workers and equip them with screening kits for patient referral.
Sightsavers will also provide technical support in scaling up school eye screening programme across the State and the agency will demonstrate models and best practices in three districts namely Khordha, Cuttack and Dhenkanal. For the first time in the State, special occupational eye health campaign will be initiated under this programme focusing driving communities, industrial workers and workers engaged in small and medium enterprises. Ophthalmologist and Ophthalmic Assistants will be trained on quality service delivery, new protocols and standards in eye operation and blindness control programme management.
The partnership will compliment State’s vision for Universal Eye Health, which was recently announced by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.