GoAP and Sightsavers State Level Training for 350 PMOOs Launched

20th July, 2009

"Modern trends in Delivery of Eyecare" was the topic chosen by GoAP and Sightsavers International to orient 350 Paramedic Ophthalmic Officers (PMOO) spread across 23 districts of the state at Sankar Foundation, Vishakhapatnam.

It was the first time that training for paramedic ophthalmic officers was organized comprehensively on the newly launched programmes like Aarogyashree, 104 Mobile Van (also called as HMRI's Fixed Day Health Scheme) and teleophthalmology. Since, the PMOO (new terminology for Paramedic Ophthalmic Assistants) has been recognized as the referral link in all these innovative programmes launched by government, it was imperative to host this training.



While Dr Mothilal, Joint Director- AP NPCB volunteered to take session on "How to make cataract free zone", resource persons were called in from district or regional level officials from Aarogyashree scheme, HMRI and Regional Eye Hosptial (for teleophthalmology) respectively. The training also included practical demonstration of 104 mobile fan, interaction with Aarogyamitra (person appointed at base hospital by Govt.) and their role.

To cover the entire state, districts have been divided into three phases:

Phase 1: Districts (10)
July 20th – 21st : Srikakulam, Vishakhapatnam, Vizianagaram
July 23rd -24th : East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna
July 27th – 28th : Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, Chittor

Phase 2: Districts (6)
August 17th – 18th : Cuddapah, Ananthpur, Kurnool
August 20th – 21st : Mehboobnagar, Nalgonda, Khammam

Phase 3: Districts (6)
September 7th – 8th : Ranga Reddy, Medak, Nizamabad
September 10th- 11th: Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal

* Hyderabad was not included.

This is the third time, when Sightsavers has organized a joint state level training (technically as well as financially) in Andhra Pradesh after conducting DPM training for two consecutive years.
After approval from Dr L V Subhramanyam (Prinicipal Health Secretary) we foresee more such training programmes for ophthalmic personnels across all cadres in partnership with the government.





*Click on the photo for large view.


With all this effort, a message has been clearly sent to the key decision makers of the state that inclusion of eyecare is a step towards achieveing primary healthcare for the bottom of the pyramid.

Let's not get blurred by the launch of technology ignoring the immensely able human resource as ultimately it will be a human who will be treated by a human.

By
Shweta Chooramani
schooramani@sightsavers.org


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Give voice to your thoughts, Have samvaad with us !

Inauguration of Ankh Wali Pum Pum (Mobile Vision Center for Gondiya district)

By Rajesh Kapse

Sightsavers International has launched its first project of Vidharbha Network on 16th June 2009 with Mahatme Eye Bank Eye Hospital, Impact India Foundation and Volkart foundation. This project will be for the Gondiya district of Vidharbha region.

Impact India foundation and Volkart Foundation has given this van to Mahatme Eye Bank Eye Hospital through Sightsavers International for the implementation of the comprehensive eye care programme for Gondia district. A tele ophthalmology unit will be established in this van so as to provide expert diagnosis to the rural poor patients of Gondia district by ophthalmologist. An optical dispensing unit will also be added to this van and spectacles will be provided on the spot. Netra Doots (eye health volunteers) will be trained from the local population and awareness will be generated on the eye care issues. Activities for rehabilitation of the irreversibly blind and low vision people will be implemented as a part of Vidarbha Network for the comprehensive eye care services. This will be of great help to the poor and needy people of Vidarbha region.

The Life Line Express Mobile Van Clinic ( LLEMVC) has been handed over to Dr. Mahatme (Medical Director, Mahatme Eye Bank Eye Hospital) on this day. Mr. Pravin Darade (District Collector, Nagpur), Mr. Vilas Muttemwar (Member of Parliament, Nagpur), Ms. Zelma Lazarus (CEO Impact India Foundation), Mr. Shreenath (CEO Volkart Foundation), Mr. Vikas Thakre (Ex Mayor Nagpur) and myself were present on this occasion.

There was a live demonstration of cataract surgery during the inauguration programme and the operated patient inaugurated the van. Dr. Mrs. Sunita Mahatme was the master of the ceremony.

The event was widely covered in the media with exclusive footage in leading english newspaper "Hitavada". The excerpts are as follows:

‘Vision for Vid - a boon for visually challenged’ Jun. 18th, 2009 by Nandu Andhare
Sightsavers International is an non-political, secular, non-governmental development organisation which specialises in the provision of technical and financial support for the ‘prevention and cure of blindness.’ It also specialises in the provision of services such as education and rehabilitation for the incurably blind, is on a god sent mission in Vidarbha.

According to Dr Rajesh Kapse, Programme Officer of Sightsavers International, the organisation believes in delivery of services through local partners. It has underpinned the organisations activities for more than 50 years and learn from them, while assisting them in building their capacity for sustainability of service in the long term Comprehensive Eye Services (CES) is its core delivery model to provide a network of services covering all aspects of eye care, from the promotion of eye health, the prevention of blindness and the provision of clinical services, through to education and rehabilitation for persons with irreversible visual impairment.’’

Dr Rajesh says, “Sightsavers has started its programmes by working on some priority issues like human resource development, providing primary eye care services like refraction, cataract surgeries, treatment for glaucoma and work for rehabilitation of the blind and low vision people. The need of timely maintenance of ophthalmic equipments was also felt The organisation has started training programme for the ophthalmic surgeons and ophthalmic officers working with Government in 11 district of Vidarbha. This training programme has been launched in collaboration with Maharashtra State Health Society under National programme for control of blindness. 210 ophthalmic officers and 50 ophthalmic surgeons will participate in this programme.

Training of the first batch of 30 ophthalmic officers was organised on June 11 and 12, and training of other 6 batches of ophthalmic officers will be done in the month of June and July 2009. The training programme of ophthalmic surgeons was organised on June 16 and 17 on Best Practices in Cataract Management. Four ophthalmic officers from Vidarbha will be provided with the training in Equipment maintenance. This trained man power will help in solving the equipment maintenance issues to increase surgical performance. The first comprehensive eye care programme has been launched in collaboration with Mahatme Eye Bank Eye Hospital, Impact India Foundation and Volkart foundation.

Impact India Foundation has introduced an innovative idea of combating disabilities through its Lifeline Express Mobile Clinic (LLEMC), a concept of mobile health care. The LLEMC is designed as an autonomous diagnostic mobile clinic fitted with the latest equipment for identifying hearing and vision impairments, with the goal of making maximum use of the available space and creating a user friendly layout. The LLEMC is equipped with Vision Drum, Auto-Refractometer, Slit Lamp, Lensometer, Trial set of lenses, Retinoscope, Ophthalmoscope, Tonometer, Audiometer. The LLEMC with its equipment is being used to screen and examine identified patients for External inflammation, infection, injury or asymmetry in vision, Pupilary function, Ocular motility, Visual acuity, Visual field testing, Patient’s hearing level, Ability to differentiate between sound intensities, Recognize pitch, Distinguish speech from background noise.

Impact India foundation and Volkart Foundation has given this Van to Mahatme Eye Bank Eye Hospital through Sightsavers International for the implementation of the comprehensive eye care programme for the Gondia district. A tele ophthalmology unit will be established in this van so as to provide expert diagnosis to the rural poor patients of Gondia district by ophthalmologist. An optical dispensing unit will also be added to this van and spectacles will be provided on the spot. Netra Doots (eye health volunteers) will be trained from the local population and awareness will be generated on the eye care issues. Activities for rehabilitation of the irreversibly blind and low vision people will be implemented as a part of Vidarbha Network for the comprehensive eye care services. This will be of great help to the poor and needy people of Vidarbha region.”

Advocacy Initiative in Andhra Pradesh : Public Private Partnership with GoAP and HMRI.

HMRI, Sightsavers International and Government of Andhra Pradesh have come together under a public-private partnership (PPP) to augment healthcare delivery systems in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Under the partnership, HMRI has implemented a state-of-the-art 24x7 health helpline, serving the 80 million people of Andhra Pradesh. Taking the healthcare initiative further, the partnership has also launched 104 Mobile, also called the Fixed Day Health Service, to further expand the scope and delivery of healthcare in rural areas.

The advocacy initiatives of SIAO and the recent meeting on 8th June, 2009 with Dr L V Subramanyam (Prinicipal Secretary - Health and Family Welfare), Dr Mothilal Banothu (Joint Director- NPCB) and Dr A P Ranga Rao - Chief Advisor (HMRI) has resulted in addition of eye health component in training of HMRI (mobile van staff) across the state. Its our pleasure to state that Sigthsavers International has been recognized as a training partner for eye health by GoAP.

Some of the important decisions taken during the meeting were as follows:

1- Sightsavers is recognized as training partner for eye health component for rreparation of standardized training material and module. These modules will be used to train the 475 mobile van (one staff) of HMRI across the state and also to train the RMPs (as part of HMRI diploma course) recognized by AP Paramedic Board.

2- Sankar Foundation as one of the referral centre for Diabetic Retinopathy in Vizag region. As a result, Mr L V Subramanyam accepted our invitation to inaugurate the mobile DR van at Sankar Foundation on 12th June, 2009. Attended by all government ophthalmic functionaries from Vishakhapatnam, Vizianagram and Srikakulam district.

3- Principal Secretary proposed to conduct state level workshops/training for all cadres of ophthalmic personnel at Sankar Foundation in collaboration with Sightsavers International, NPCB and HMRI.

What is Fixed Day Health Scheme ?
The objective is to create a technology enabled comprehensive, once-a-month fixed day health service that will provide convergence of comprehensive services for the identification, screening, diagnosis, monitoring & treatment, record keeping and referral of high risk cases in each rural habitation beyond 3 kms of any health facility. It would strengthen the present fixed day services delivered in the habitation by bringing regularity, punctuality, integration, convergence and comprehensiveness using technology supported 475 mobile health units to cover 4 Cr. Population. HMRI was started by Satyam Foundation and it had 5 % stake in this NGO. Although, last quarte the 5% stake is bought by GVK.

If you have ideas / suggestions after this post, please write back to schooramani@sightsavers.org.

Inauguration of Nanna Kannu Project - Sankara Eye Hospital, Bangalore

1st June, 2009: Bangalore

“Nanna Kannu” (nanna meaning child; kannu meaning eyes in Kannad language) a unique comprehensive programme to reach out to children with visual defects. The project is being implemented in partnership with Sightsavers International, Government of Karnataka and National Association for the Blind would reach out to 1,50,000 children in the first phase of the programme.

The purpose of this project is to raise awareness about eye health, prevent blindness, and save the lives of the children suffering from eye diseases in south Karnataka, viz., Bangalore, Bangalore (rural), Hasan, Tumkur, Kolar and Mandya districts.

Mr Vishweshwara Hegade Kagari - Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Mr Aravind Limbavalli- Minister of Higher Education, attended the meeting and has promised to be the ambassador of the project. Ms Elizabeth Kurian - Regional Director (Sightsavers International India Region) , Dr Saroja Ramachandran - Honoraray President (NAB Karnataka) attended the inaugural function.

Dr R V Ramani's Sankara Eye Hospital Coimbatore has been a long lasting partner of South India Area. Recently, SEH Shimoga and Bangalore has been a new entry respectively.

Shankara Eye Hospital also launched the webpage for the programme www.sankaraeye.com/nannakannu.htm .

If you have stories on eyecare work please share with us :

Shweta Chooramani (schooramani@sightsavers.org or shweta.chooramani@gmail.com)

Samvaad Moderator

Karnataka DPM Workshop on Best Practices for Cataract Management : 20-21 May, 2009

One of the prime areas of concern for Sightsavers has been the provision of quality eye care to meet the needs of the poorest of the poor and those who cannot afford the “expected” high quality – high price service provided by the private practitioners. Quality initiatives that Sightsavers have followed over the years has ensured that the wide range of NGO partners with whom we are in partnership are following the standardization procedures and are also conscious of the cataract protocols in vogue. On the basis of these experiences with the partner hospitals, Sightsavers International has developed Cataract Protocol Manual.

As one of the advocacy and capacity building initiatives of Sightsavers South India Area Office, Workshop on Best Practices for Cataract Management for all the District Programme Managers and District ophthalmic surgeons of the State Health Society, Government of Karnataka has been conducted on 20th and 21st May 2009. District ophthalmic surgeons and DPMs have attended the workshop.

Dr. Halakatti (Joint Director Ophthalmology, Karnataka), Dr. Kaushik Murali (Shankara Eye Hospital, Bangalore) and Dr. Rajesh Kapse (Programme Officer, Sightsavers Inernational) have taken special efforts to organize this workshop

Objectives of the Workshop:

1. Review the situation analysis of the eye care services in Karnataka.

2. To update knowledge of DPMs on the current best practices for cataract surgeries.

3. Discuss a common minimum clinical protocol that needs to be maintained.

4. To prepare an action plan for the implementation of the common minimum protocol
5. To draft an action plan for capacity building initiatives.

Action plan:

1. District level training programme on cataract protocol will be organized for the paramedics with the help of district ophthalmic surgeons
2. Standardize cataract protocol will be developed in pictorial form and will be displayed in district government hospitals.
3. Hospital based training programme will be organized so as to upgrade the knowledge of ophthalmic surgeons.
4. PMOAs will be trained from four regions of Karnataka for the ophthalmic equipment maintenance.

Feedback about the workshop:

1. All the sessions were useful and will be helpful in the surgical practice.
2. The workshop has enhanced their knowledge.
3. Such kind of continuous medical education programmes should be organized frequently.
4. Training on small incision cataract surgery should be conducted.

Submitted By

Rajesh Kapse

SIAO's II Partners Meet : 6th to 8th May, 2009

The Sightsavers International South India Area Office (SIAO) organized its second Partner’s Meet at YMCA International House, Mumbai from 6th to 8th May 2009.

The first day of the meeting was dedicated to the four changed themes of SIAO's SIM card and programme partnership policy. The second day witnessed a discourse on topics ranging from HR Challenges in NGO (Sandeep Kulshehtra), Good Governance at NGOs (Vijan Nandkarni, Credibility Alliance), Role of Resource Mobilization (Katrina Scaife) etc.

Post lunch concurrent sessions were held for CBR and EC partners with following presentations:


CBR Session:

1- Advocacy in Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (Ketan Kothari, SIAO)
2- Helping Communities to take Charge – Micro planning (Dr. Jalidar Adsule, Faculty, Nirmala Niketan College of Social Work)
3- Working with VI and Additional Disabilities (Reena Bhandari, Director, Voice and Vision)


EC Sessions:

1- Hospital Management and Medical Records (Dr Shilpa Tatake, Jupiter Lifeline Hospitals Ltd.)
2 - Breaking the frontiers - Retinoblastoma (Dr Savari Desai, LVPEI- Hyderabad)
3- Diabetic Retinopathy: Sankara Eye Hosp. (Vishwanathan, Pammal)
4- Low Vision: Lotus College of Optometry (Prema Chande, Mumbai)


The third day of the meeting was foccused on accounts personnel with introduction of FAT(Financial Analysis Tool) and its importance. A lot of stress was also given to the main findings of audit process and its compliance.

Pre Launch Meet of Mumbai Eye Care Campaign : 9th May, 2009

The prelaunch meet of the “Mumbai Eye Care Campaign” an initiative by Sightsavers International was held today the 9th of May 2009, at the Dr.Chokshi Auditorium of the Tata Memorial Hospital , Parel (E).

The event was inaugurated by a lamp lighting ceremony by:
Dr. Kumbhar – Ast. Director Health Care – Ophthalmology Govt of Maharashtra,
Pratima Harite – Standard Chartered Bank,
Mrs.Anahita Dastur Chairman, Lotus College of Optometry,
Mr. K. Ramakrishna – Hon. Secretary National Association for the Blind,
Mr. Bihari Shah – President Blind Person’s Association,
Elizabeth Kurian – Regional Director Sightsavers International,
Katrina Scaife – Sightsavers International UK.



Ms. Elizabeth Kurian – Regional Director Sightsavers International in her welcome address shared about Sightsavers and its work around the world and how it has been working actively in India since 1966 to eradicate avoidable blindness and place the visually impaired into the mainstream society.

Ms. Prema Chande – Principal – Lotus College of Optometry then shared her study about the pilot project conducted in Dharavi, Asia’s largest slum (Jan2008 – Jan 2009). The project revealed astonishing facts and laid the foundation for the e Mumbai Eye Care Campaign.

The study revealed that the three major barriers for not availing refractive error services was that 51% of them were not aware that eye care is important for their day to day to activities, 53% of them looked at it as a loss of time and eventually daily wages for going for an eye examination and 41% of them believed that they will not be able to afford eye care.

Ms Katrina Scaife – Sightsavers International ,shared her fond memories of her visit to Dharavi during the monsoons for the pilot project , she spoke about the association with Standard Chartered Bank and gave her best wishes to all the partners of MEC .




Bhavana Pande – Project Manager – Mumbai Eye Care Campaign shared how MEC had a two – fold motive – first to screen and treat 1.5 million people in various slums – Dharavi, Mankhurd, Malad for refractive error and second to spread primary eye care awareness amongst 10 millions Mumbaikars. She said she was looking forward to make Mumbai an Eye Friendly City – where people would not go blind due to ignorance . As per WHO statistics 75% blindness is avoidable.

Pratima Harite – Standard Chartered Bank – spoke about the association of Standard chartered bank and Sightsavers under the “Seeing is Believing” project and how together they have been able to effectively deal with various eye care issue over the years. She spoke fondly of her association with MEC and is looking forward to another major impact in eye care through this campaign.

Dr. Kumbhar – Ast Director Health care – Ophthalmology- govt of Maharashtra spoke about how he was excited about this campaign and was looking forward to extend all help on behalf of the government to make a difference to eradicate avoidable blindness.

Street plays were performed by the Aqua theatre group led by Junaid , these plays work as a major barrier working force in the slums of Mumbai. People were also shown 2 short eye documentaries that spoke about making a difference for this cause.



Shrinivas Sawant – Area Director Sightsavers ended the meet by a vote of thanks to the entire group of partners whose continuous efforts have made it possible to think of eradicating avoidable blindness from Mumbai and then the country.

Andra Pradesh DPM Workshop : Cataract Management Protocols, 27-28 April 2009

Summary :

Sightsavers strategy map states that our work should contribute in ensuring provision of quality eye care universally in government institutions and available as integral part of wider health system. Advocacy and working with government is one of the priority areas for SIAO as per the new strategic framework (2009- 2013). We aspire to collaborate in every possible way in order to minimize duplication of resources and efforts.

It does so through conducting a two day workshop on cataract management protocols for District Programme Managers of Andhra Pradesh. This workshop attempted to find the gaps between the expected and existing quality standards of district level eyecare facilities. The gaps have been identified qualitatively as well as quantitatively. While the qualitative parameters stressed on minimum quality protocols to be followed clinically, quantitative parameters embraced minimum performance output expected out of each human resource personnel at district level, respectively.

It does not claim to have all the answers, but suggests measures that state and national level policy-makers, eyecare partners and training institutions can use to advocate for equitable quality services across all socio-economic strata.

Action Points Implemented from DPM Meeting, 2008 :

The first breakthrough with AP State Blindness Control Society came in September 2008. It was then we organized SIAO’s first ever D.P.M. Meeting in Andhra Pradesh in association with AP Ophthalmic Society organized at Vijayawada. Since then, we have received full support from Dr Mothilal Bonathu, Joint Director – AP National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) in exploring the ways of working together.

The meeting generated a helm of concepts blending public and private stakeholders. The outcome of first DPM meeting resulted in partnership of Rotary Netra Eye Hospital, Vishakhapatnam with GREHTN (Government Regional Eye Hospital Teleophthalmology Network). Another step towards success from this meeting was evolution of concept for public private partnership between Sankar Foundation, Vishakhapatnam with HMRI (Health Management Research Institute) and Rajiv Gandhi Health Mission.

With these positive developments in last two quarters, SIAO planned second DPM workshop specifically on improving quality of cataract management. This workshop also witnessed mutual resource sharing between Sightsavers International, GoI NPCB (AP) and LVPEI.

Objectives:

1. Review the situation analysis of the eye care services in Andhra Pradesh.
2. To update knowledge of DPMs on the current best practices for cataract surgeries.
3. Discuss a common minimum clinical protocol that needs to be maintained.
4. Expression of interest to work together at all the levels from service delivery to advocacy with Sightsavers partners.

Immediate Output of the Workshop :

The Joint Director of NPCB (Andhra Pradesh) has endorsed the Sightsavers Standardization Manual (Guidelines for : Quality Catract Management in Secondary Level Eye Centres) prepared in collaboration with Venu Eye Institute and Research Centre with Sewa Rural, Jhagadia though a circular to all the 23 DPMs of the state.

Expected Outcomes:

• Action plan for 2009 -2010 enlisting milestones to achieve in collaboration.


• Availability of quality clinical services to the eye care beneficiaries of Andhra Pradesh integrated through Government service providers and our partners.


• Better understanding of trainees on core issue of Quality and Management in eye care programmes and day to day work leading to improved performance.


• Positive relation building with Sightsavers partners on field leading to solve trivial issues arising from administrative lacunae.
  

The action points and forward feed of this workshop is under documentation.

By: Shweta Chooramani (schooramani@sightsavers.org)

Celebration in the festival of democracy

62 years have passed but most of us have been second class citizens who are denied the right to secret ballot. We were always enthusiastic but whenever we went to the polling booth, there was the usual struggle of “assisted voting” which was an insult of our cerebral power. How does one ensure that an assistant (whoever he/she is) votes as per the instruction of the person being assisted?

But all that changed in General Elections 2009. Being blind was not a sign of powerlessness but empowerment in the true sense was experienced.

As soon as I entered the both along with my wife (who is also totally blind) we were greeted cordially and wee asked if we knew Braille. Upon affirmative answer, we were given Braille dummy ballot paper that contained the names symbols and parties of candidates sequentially and after we had read through we were taken to EVM which was also marked in Braille. For the first time in our lives we voted independently andproudly. No forms to be filled for assistants and no haggling.

I am a proud Indian since even USA and other developed nations do not have such sophisticated facilities.

Of course, let us not forget the days and years of struggle that we had to put to get the directive from the Supreme Court. This is just the beginning and we shall not rest with this, we have a long way to go and achieve miles of successes and who knows we may have a chief justice who is blind or a primeminister who is disabled. What we will always need is unstinting support of all of you since no battle is won by a soldier but an army with support of its fellow citizens is what makes great. Next 5 years will give more occasssion to celebrate but we must not get complacent.”



Ketan Kothari
Reach me at kkothari@sightsavers.org
Phone: 022 28821919

Sankara awarded the India NGO Awards 2008 , New Delhi

Sankara Eye Care Institutions, India was recognized for its contribution to community eye care with the India NGO award, 2008.

Instituted by the Nand & Jeet Khemka Foundation, in collaboration with the Resource Alliance, Sankara was recognized in the category for large NGO’s along with the BAIF. Rewarding professional management, innovation in local resource mobilisation and programme effectiveness, the Awards are open to small, medium and large NGOs from all over India which work towards social and environmental transformation.

Winners were announced tonight at a final National Award Ceremony in Delhi.

The India NGO Awards were instituted in 2006.The Awards seek to promote good standards and practices in resource mobilization, accountability and transparency and recognize and celebrate excellence in the non-profit sector. The aim is also to create examples and inspiration for other non-profits and promote cross-regional learning and to thus promote the overall credibility of the non-profit sector for long-term sustainability

The awardees were evaluated on, the effective and sustainable mobilization of resources from the local community and demonstration of efficient management of resources, good governance practices, transparency and accountability. Finally the impact of the services provided to the community was evaluated.