Health Minister Sambhani Chandra Sekhar stresses on need to spread awareness on Eye Donation

EBAI and associates embark on a mission to eradicate corneal blindness in India; MECB - Movement for Eradication of Corneal Blindness launched in AP

Hyderabad... 1 September 2007: Sri Sambhani Chandra Sekhar, Hon'ble Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Andhra Pradesh urged people to come forward for eye donation and stressed the need for creating awareness on eye donation. He was speaking at the launch of an initiative called 'Movement for Eradication of Corneal Blindness' (MECB) at LV Prasad Eye Institute on Friday. MECB aims to create awareness and eradicate corneal blindness in India The MECB project along with Posters and 'Netra Data Amar Rahe' - a CD to create awareness about corneal blindness and eye donation was formally launched by the Minister. Dr. Gullapalli N Rao, Chairman, LV Prasad Eye Institute; Mr. G. Ganesh, Executive Director - Eye Bank Association of India (EBAI) and Mr. Satish Modi, Associate - EBAI and Trustee - Delara Foundation were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said, "Eyes are the most important organs of a human body and care has to be taken to restore eyesight to every single person. However, it is not just the Government's responsibility to root out blindness from the State. Voluntary organisations and individuals need to come forward and contribute in this mission."

Giving details Mr. G. Ganesh, Executive Director - EBAI said that the MECB project being launched as part of the ongoing 22nd Eye Donation Fortnight (25 Aug. - 8 Sept.) aims to reach 22000 gram panchayats, 1111 mandals in 23 districts of the state. On success of this initiative in Andhra Pradesh, corneal blindness across India can be eradicated during this Five year plan. MECB proposes to use the services of 1 lakh Village Health Workers (4-6 thousand per district) and grief counsellors at hospitals in urban and semi-urban areas and spread awareness through different media, posters, flexes, calendars, laminated boards, CDs, DVDs, and film shows.

Mr. Satish Modi, Associate - EBAI and Trustee - Delara Foundation said, "Corneal blindness affects mainly children and young adults who have a long life ahead of them. The number of Corneal Blinds in India are about 11 lakhs. And 25,000 new cases of corneal blindness are reported every year. Sight can be restored by corneal transplantation. In 2006, only 13,000 successful corneal transplants took place in India. If only 2 per cent of all deceased donate cornea (eyes) the corneal blindness in India can be eradicated totally."

The MECB entiles an expenditure of about Rs 16.5 crores to be distributed over three years. MECB is seeking financial and other resources support from the Government and NGOs. It is less than Rs.7500/- per Gram panchayat to be spent in three years (Rs.1500/- first year, Rs.2250/- second year and Rs.3750/- in third year). Under MECB initiative, EBAI plans to establish 150 new cornea collection centres across Andhra Pradesh. MECB proposes to use the services of over 1.00 lakh Village Health Workers (VHWs) and of Grief Counsellors at Hospitals in Urban and Semi urban areas to spread awareness about corneal blindness and transplantation. Approximately 125 to 150 families come under VHW's care, they live in the same area and have close ties with the families under their care. EBAI will use the services of VHWs and will reward them by the way of incentives of Rs.10/- for getting signature of one family on pledge cum veelunama and Rs.150/- for converting pledge into donation in event of death in the family under their care. The VHWs report to 1385 PHCs (Primary Health Care Centres) spread over 1111 mandals in 23 districts of the state. (Source 2001 Census).

For further information, media may please contact: Mr. Satish Modi - 9391340973 / Mr. G. Ganesh - 9885011639

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