Orbis, an international non-profit organization dedicated to preventing avoidable blindness, has partnered with Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS to unveil a new manual aimed at mapping and improving the human and material resources available for pediatric eye care services in India. The Eye Care Manual on Mapping of Human Resource and Infrastructure for Pediatric Eye Care Services in India was unveiled to address the growing concerns around the availability of manpower and infrastructure in the eye healthcare industry in India.
The manual provides a detailed analysis of the current state of pediatric eye care services across different regions in India, and includes information on the availability of services, infrastructure, and supportive human resources for pediatric ophthalmology. It was developed using 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.
“This manual is a crucial step towards providing children with the best possible eye care and preventing avoidable blindness,” said Dr. Praveen Vashist, Professor and Officer In-charge, Community Ophthalmology at Dr. R.P. Centre. “Mitigating childhood blindness requires assessing and bridging the gap in service delivery through mapping of resources and infrastructure followed by informed decision making,” added Dr. Jeevan Singh Titiyal, Chief of Dr. R.P. Centre.
Orbis and Dr. R.P. Centre have been involved in several initiatives aimed at boosting pediatric eye care in India, including the 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 crucial role in the development of the pediatric eye care sector in India and help bridge the gap in service delivery.
“We’re excited 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 crucial tool for the development of the pediatric eye care sector.”
