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.
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.
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