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Project Drishti

OBJECTIVES OF PROJECT “DRISHTI”

Inspite of best intention and efforts of Govt. of India and other agencies, there continues a huge backlog of cataract cases which is increasing year after year. WHO, under Vision 2020 program had been supporting its member countries to eradicate avoidable blindness by the year 2020. As per Govt. of India, incidence of blindness is about 1% of the total population on an average and 8.5% in the age – group of 50 years and above.

Objectives of “Drishti Project” are:

  • It is a major health care intervention to provide dignity and quality of life to those suffering from eye problems.
  • To create awareness among the general public about eye – care;
  • Provide medical treatment to those suffering from eye–ailments.
  • Provide spectacles to correct refractive error of those suffering from low-vision.
  • Facilitating cataract surgeries through modern technique i.e. PHACO / IOL implant.
  • Supporting in reducing social and economic dependency of blind persons on others.
  • Promoting the image of sponsoring organization as ‘caring organization’ and creating spirit of well-being in the community.

PROJECT SCOPE

Population of each district differs from district to district and state to state. Taking population of one district as 15 lakhs and taking 1% cases of eye related illness, there could be 15000 such cases out of which 9000 could be cataract cases ( About 62% are cataract cases). There is also backlog of such cases and incidence of occurrence of such cases also takes place every year. Thus, there is adequate scope of launching the project ‘Drishti’ in any district. Number of cases are much more in the backward states and district.

Eye screening camps are organized in consultation with the concerned local   officers of the sponsoring organization. They are involved in deciding the areas and venue for the camps to archive   maximum mileage. In all publicity material, the name of the sponsoring organization is projected to give adequate publicity. Inauguration of the eye camp is done by the available senior officer of the unit. It is ensured that there is proper coverage of the event in print and electronic media to project its image as “caring” organization.

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION METHODOLOGY

The methodology includes:

  • Identifying a cluster of 10 - 15 villages where the Eye Camp is proposed to be held.
  • Co-ordinating with the District and Health Authorities for their support.
  • Identifying venues for holding eye camp such as school, health centre, panchayat ghar etc and making arrangement for camp.
  • Reaching out to Gram Pradhans, Sarpanchs and Heads of schools of that area for support and publicity.
  • Printing of publicity material - handbills, posters, banners, OPD registers prescription pads etc.
  • Advertising through various media channels i.e. news papers, radio, TV, web sites, and loudspeakers covering weekly markets, schools and village Panchayat. 
  • Arranging Paramedical team and staff to examine and screen patients.
  • Arrangement for disbursing medicines and spectacles on prescription.
  • Organizing volunteers for various activities.
  • Seeking support from local sponsors for co-ordination, publicity etc. 
  • Providing transport for cataract patients from venue to hospital and back.
  • Arranging boarding/lodging for patients.
  •  Arrangements for cataract operations, IOL, medicine etc.
  • Arranging Individual and group photos of patient’s undergone operation and Media coverage.
  • Providing post-operative support to patients.