From the desk of VISION 2020 : AIOS Conference 2010 @ Kolkata

By Dr Rajesh Noah (rajeshnoah@vision2020india.org)
Executive Director, VISION 2020


VISION 2020 India, in collaboration with the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) and the Eyebank Association of India (EBAI), put up a display of posters, literature and leaflets along with audio-video material for ophthalmologists at the recently concluded AIOC 2010. The 68th annual conference of All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) and the 15th Afro Asian Congress of Ophthalmology (AACO) held at Science City Centre, Kolkata from 21st to 24th , 2010.

VISION 2020 INDIA stall at the AIOC-2010 in Kolkata was a very good opportunity to ensure convergence with AIOS, NPCB, and EBAI and showcase the good work being done by NPCB and other Non-Governmental agencies through display of posters, literature and distribution of leaflets as well as audio/video materials for ophthalmologists coming to the conference from all over the country.

It provided 200 visitors to discuss about the work done by VISION 2020 INDIA, NPCB and EBAI and obtain necessary materials for use in their areas of work. The stall presented a good platform to showcase the blindness prevention efforts of the government and the NGOs. The stall was a must-see for those who wanted information on NPCB activities and materials produced by them.

Posters on Eye Donation developed by NPCB as well as EBAI drew lot of attention from the visitors. All the visitors, many of them from the Govt. hospitals, were given information brochures.

The show-stealers:

1. Revised 2009 editions of the NPCB Guidelines for SHS & DHS
2. Revised 2009 edition of the NPCB Guidelines for NGOs
3. Revised 2009 edition of Standards of Eye Banking
4. Set of 4 CDs containing Audio-video materials on Eye Donation & awareness messages on other eye diseases
5. VISION 2020 INDIA Annual Planner
6. VISION 2020 INDIA 2010 Diary and Brochure

Suggestions
Seeing this over-whelming response to NPCB materials, NPCB might want to depute their State Team to work with us. The presence of NPCB will make a huge difference and a greater impact in effective IEC. This in turn will create more awareness about the program leading to higher confidence among the stakeholders to serve without any inhibition benefiting the community.

AIOS 2011 : Ahmedabad, Gujarat
The Ophthalmic Fraternity would be pleased to feel the presence of NPCB in a bigger way in the next AIOC annual conference in Ahmedabad in 2011.

The Case of Baby Anjali Nishad from Chhattisgarh

By Vasant Shendye (vshendye@sightsavers.org)
North India Area Office, Bhopal



Anjali Nishad is a 3 year old girl from Tora village [Simga block-Raipur district-Chhattisgarh]. When field worker from GRIHINI identified her [through Anganwadi worker] in the month of July 09, she was having tremendous pain in her left eye. Thus, she was first referred to CHC, Bhatapara. After examining her, Ophthalmologist referred her to Medical College, Raipur for further examination. It was then Anjali was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma [cancer in left eye] .

Retinoblastoma (Rb) is a rapidly developing cancer which develops in the cells of the retina, the light detecting tissue of the eye. It usually develops in early childhood, typically before the age of 5.

Retinoblastoma is rare and affects approximately 1 in 15,000 live births.

In most children with retinoblastoma, the disease affects only one eye. However, one out of three children with retinoblastoma develops cancer in both eyes. Most children are diagnosed before the age of five years old, as in the case of Anjali too. Retinoblastoma is often curable when it is diagnosed early. However, if it is not treated promptly, this cancer can spread beyond the eye to other parts of the body. This advanced form of retinoblastoma can be life-threatening. The first priority is to preserve the life of the child, then to preserve the vision and thirdly to minimize any complications or side effects of the treatment. The exact course of treatment depends on the individual case.

In case of Anjali, she underwent an operation on 8th August 2009, where her left eye ball with the tumor was completely removed [Enucleation] and her life was saved before the spread of tumour. This space will soon be replaced by an artificial eye.


Her parents have taken her for 2 subsequent follow ups and now there are no complaints.

The Driving Force: GRIHINI

GRIHINI, the CBR partner has constantly given support to her parents in terms of counseling and referral. By early identification, quick referral and by providing constant support, GRIHINI has done a comendable task.
GRIHINI is a voluntary non-profit making organization established in the year 1996 that promotes social development through community based organizations. Its is working with the theme of empowering women through livelihood, health, nutrition and education based interventions.

GRIHINI initiated a CBR and IE project with the support of Sightsavers in the year July 2008 in Simga block of Raipur district.


According to the recently concluded population based survey (2000-2001), prevalence of blindness in the state of Chhattisgarh is 1.6 % i.e. approximately 3.3 million people are blind in the state of Chhattisgarh. GRIHINI is one of the recent partners of Sightsavers in the state of Chhattisgarh.

Right to Read

By Ketan Kothari (kkothari@sightsavers.org)

South India Area Office, Mumbai

30th January is a day of great significance in the history of India. It is the death anniversary of India’s father of nation, Mahatma Gandhi and also the martyrs’ day. But this year was special for print impaired community.

Saturday afternoon in Delhi was pleasant and pregnant with hope. The International Book Fair was being inaugurated at Pragati Maidan. We had chosen this occasion to be the apt time for a major launch of “Right to Read”.

Several organizations came together and proclaimed to the world that all print impaired people all over India have the right to read all the literature the very day it was published. Their choice was no longer to be governed by organizations that converted the literature in accessible formats.

I along with Ranjish Kattady represented Sightsavers at this launch.

The afternoon began with a skit proclaiming the right in the loudest terms. After this, people were invited to present their views.

I told the audience that we must insist that we should get to read all the literature and Government should make it sure that our right to read is protected. In fact, as per Article 21 of our constitution, we have already been guaranteed this right as it enunciates right to Life with dignity.

Many blind and visually impaired people repeated this. Dr. Sam Taraporevala told the gathering that more than 550 authors and 40 publishers cutting across linguistic borders have consented to convert their literature in accessible formats.

A panel discussion took place with Sagarika Ghose, a famous TV anchor moderating it. Christopher Friend gave an overview of Global Right to Read campaign and informed the audience about the various efforts taking place across the globe to get the publishers on our side.

WIPO treaty was also mentioned. It was shocking that publishers were harping on their fear of piracy whereas there is no evidence to suggest that we are responsible for it. Javed Abidi hammered the publishers that it is sad that such simple changes require legal interventions.

It was a great afternoon.

When we parted, we were sure that we shall overcome all the hurdles and get the right that we deserve. This was one of many struggles that we may have to undertake to get what we want.