NATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR CONTROL OF BLINDNESS AND VISUAL IMPAIRMENT: ARUNACHAL PRADESH
INTRODUCTION:
National Programme for Control of Blindness was launched in the year 1976 as a 100% Centrally Sponsored scheme with the goal to reduce the prevalence of blindness from 1.4% to 0.3%. As per Survey in 2001-02, prevalence of blindness is estimated to be 1.1%. Rapid Survey on Avoidable Blindness conducted under NPCB during 2006-07 showed reduction in the prevalence of blindness from 1.1% (2001-02) to 1% (2006-07). Various activities/initiatives undertaken during the Five Year Plans under NPCB are targeted towards achieving the goal of reducing the prevalence of blindness to 0.3% by the year 2020. The programme has been renamed in 2017 as National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual impairment to include the services of visually impaired group.
Main causes of blindness are as follows: –
1.Cataract (62.6%)
2.Refractive Error (19.70%)
3.Corneal Blindness (0.90%),
4.Glaucoma (5.80%),
5.Surgical Complication (1.20%)
6.Posterior Capsular Opacification (0.90%)
7.Posterior Segment Disorder (4.70%),
8.Others (4.19%) Estimated National Prevalence of Childhood Blindness /Low Vision is 0.80 per thousand
OBJECTIVES:
- To reduce the backlog of blindness through identification and treatment of blind at primary, secondary and tertiary levels based on assessment of the overall burden of visual impairment in the country.
- Develop and strengthen the strategy of NPCB for “Eye Health” and prevention of visual impairment; through provision of comprehensive eye care services and quality service delivery.
- Strengthening and upgradation of RIOs to become centre of excellence in various sub-specialities of ophthalmology
- Strengthening the existing and developing additional human resources and infrastructure facilities for providing high quality comprehensive Eye Care in all Districts of the country;
- To enhance community awareness on eye care and lay stress on preventive measures;
- Increase and expand research for prevention of blindness and visual impairment
- To secure participation of Voluntary Organizations/Private Practitioners in eye Care
ACTIVITIES :
- Reduction of backlog of Cataract Blindness in the state as per the mission goal of Government of India, for free cataract operation are performed.
- Screening, identification, treatment and referral of diseases like Diabetic retinopathy, Childhood blindness including Retinopathy pf Prematurity, Glaucoma, Corneal blindness and other posterior segment diseases.
- Screening of school children for refractive error and any other childhood diseases of the eyes.
- Free spectacles to the school children detected with refractive errors.
- Free reading glass to elderly population
- Awareness generation through IEC activities during National Fortnight on Eye Donation, World Sight Day, World Glaucoma Week and IEC and BCC activities for focussed group.
- Training of Eye Surgeons, Medical Officers, Optometrist/Ophthalmic Assistants, ANMs and ASHAs
- Development of infrastructure like Dedicated Eye Wing in select General or District Hospitals, Vision Centres in CHC and PHCs.
- Eye Donation activities through Eye Donation Centres and Counsellors.
- Collaborating with International/Local NGOs for bringing efficiency in the Eye Care Services.
- Proactive case detection through community screening camps using Multi-Purpose District Mobile Ophthalmic Units (MDMOU)
- Strengthening of Health Institution with equipment and trained manpower
- Coordination and convergence with RBSK and Education Department for effective intersectoral service delivery.
SCHEMES:
- Free Cataract operation ( reimbursed to NGO or Private practitioner performing free cataract operation)
- Free Spectacles to poor school Children and reading glasses to elderly population.
- Grant in aid to District Hospitals and Sub- District hospital for strengthening service delivery.
- Establishment of Eye Bank and Eye Donation Centres
EYE CARE HEALTH FACILITIES :
- No.of General Hospital: 6 (including RK Mission Hospital, Itanagar)
- No.of District Hospital: 11
- Dedicated Eye Unit : 8 (Tawang , Naharlagun , Ziro , Tezu , Changlang , Pasighat , Roing, Bordumsa)
- Eye Donation Centre: Tawang, TRIHMS, Pasighat and Tezu
- Vision Center : 36
- No.of CHC : 54
- No.of PHC :127
- No.of Sub-Centre :472
- DH/GH with Eye Surgeons: District Hospital Tawang, TRIHMS, Naharlagun, Gyati Taka General Hospital Ziro, General Hospital Aalo, Bakin Pertin General Hospital Pasighat, District Hospital Roing and General Hospital Tezu,
- General/District Hospital with Ophthalmic Assistant: Bomdila, Seppa, Palin, Daporijo, Pangin, Yingkiong, Namsai, Changlang, Khonsa and Longding.
- Community Health Centre with Ophthalmic Assistant: Dirang, Rupa, Bhalukpong, Seijosa, Chayang tajo, Itafort, Doimukh, Yazali, Basar, Khamba, Ruksin, Bordumsa and Miao.
- Primary Health Centres with Ophthalmic Assistant: Chimpu and Mahadevpur
OPHTHALMIC MANPOWER:
- Ophthalmic surgeons :- 12 in state service 2 in Medical College
- Ophthalmic assistant:- 37 regular and 6 Contractual
- Eye donation Counsellor : 4 ( Contractual)
- Data Entry Operator : 8 (Contractual)
DISTRICT UNIT:
In districts, the District Medical Officer is the Nodal Person for implementation of the NPCB &VI activities in consultation with the Eye Surgeons and with the help of ophthalmic assistants of that district.