Sightsavers India, a development organization has been working to eliminate avoidable blindness since 1966, with the goal of ensuring that no one goes blind unnecessarily and that people with disabilities live a life of dignity and respect in society. Sightsavers has presented a well-thought-out and implemented strategy plan for the years 2021 to 2025. The organization has been working in India for 55 years, focusing on eight states: Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand.
In Rajasthan, Sightsavers presence is in 13 districts and is working extensively to ensure that the prevalence of blindness is reduced to 0.3 percent in the state. Currently, the prevalence of blindness in the state is 2.69% as per National Blindness & Visual Impairment Survey India 2015-2019: A Summary Report by Dr R.P. Centre for Ophthalmic Science.
Sightsavers has launched a host of programmes in Rajasthan, focusing on eye health, social inclusion, and inclusive education. The Rural Eye Health Programme is implemented by Sightsavers in 11 districts of Rajasthan: Dungarpur, Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Pratapgarh, Sirohi, Jalore, Alwar, Tonk, Sikar, Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh. Approximately 1.4 million people have been screened as part of the initiative by Sightsavers in the year 2021. Urban Eye Health Programme of Sightsavers is implemented in the marginalized communities living in the slum areas of Jaipur urban. Through the programme Sightsavers reaches out to more than 250 slums by conducting eye camps and setting up of vision centres that caters to the eye health needs of the people.
As per Census 2011, there are 15.63 lakh people with disabilities in the state of Rajasthan. In the districts of Jhalawar and Udaipur, Sightsavers has implemented its Inclusive Education Programme for children with visual impairment. Sightsavers' Social Inclusion Program, which focuses on promoting social security and livelihood generation, strengthening Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPD), and creating an enabling environment for their improved participation in society and the economy, was implemented in Dungarpur in 2021. The National Truckers Eye Health Programme, popularly known as RAAHI, has been operating in Kishangarh and Udaipur since 2019 which caters to the huge population of truck drivers who need good quality eye health services which is provided to them through this programme.
Inclusive Education Programme in Rajasthan for low vision & Blind Students
Sightsavers in Rajasthan has more than 10 years of association with erstwhile Samgra Shiksha Abhiyan for mainstreaming the Children with Visual Impaired (CVIs), contributing to the quality of inclusive education component for the CVIs under the SSA – Rajasthan. Sightsavers in collaboration with SSA – Rajasthan has undertaken several initiatives which has significantly contributed in strengthening the inclusive education components. Following are some highlights:
On the occasion of World Sight day, Sightsavers in collaboration with its implementing partners is organizing eye camps and awareness activities across all 13 districts to raise awareness on cataract, refractive error and general care of eyes and conduct eye screening and diagnosis of thousands of people in the implementing districts. Sightsavers India has been running its programmes in India for decades in an attempt to make eye care accessible to even the most backward communities.
To join us on Facebook Click Here and Subscribe to UdaipurTimes Broadcast channels on GoogleNews | Telegram | Signal