Karnataka: With free treatment for all, Shivamogga makes vision statement

Aiming high in eyecare.

The district administration has launched blindness-free Shivamogga,
a first-of-its-kind initiative not only in Karnataka, but also in the country.

The idea is to ensure that none in the district loses sight for want of timely treatment. 

District leprosy control officer Kiran, also in charge of the programme, told DH that this was a holistic approach to treating people with eye disorders, irrespective of their financial status. The programme begins this month. 

Under the national blindness control programme, people with eye disorders have to visit the nearest eye clinics for check-ups.

Patients from BPL category are given opticals and surgery is performed if cataract is detected, all free of cost. In blindness-free Shivamogga, accredited social health (ASHA) workers visit each household and bring people with eye disorders to hospitals.

People with glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy are also treated there.

Medical services are free for people from all sections of society, not just for BPL families. This has not been done anywhere in the country, Kiran said.

The scheme is the brainchild of Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer (CEO) N Hemanth.

Those diagnosed with eye problems in the initial stage will be examined by expert doctors in villages with the help of gram panchayats and primary health centres (PHCs).

Treatment is provided in well-equipped private hospitals - Sankara Eye Hospital, Subbaiah Institute of Medical Sciences in Shivamogga, Prasad Netralaya and Kasturba Medical College (in neighbouring Udupi district).

Hemanth said a mobile app has been developed containing questions on eye disorders.

ASHA workers, during visits to households, ask questions from the app. Based on that, they shortlist people with eye disorders or their symptoms. They are taken to the nearest sub-health centre for primary screening. ASHA workers are trained for the programme.

The ZP CEO said loss of vision, which can result from glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, can be prevented if the two ailments are treated on time.

“Many people are not aware of this and they consult ophthalmologists when the problem reaches the final stage. Blindness-free Shivamogga is designed to overcome exactly this,” Hemanth said.  

Optometrists will be brought to sub-health centres, lower in hierarchy than PHCs, for eye tests of people identified with eye disorders.

Medicines and spectacles are given to the patients there. In case of advanced treatment, they will be taken to private hospitals for advanced treatment, including surgical procedures. 

50 per cent people with ailments 

Hemanth said the district has a population of over 18 lakh and more than 50 per cent people may have eye-related disorders. All people will be screened in the 250 sub-health centres.

“Till now, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy were not being addressed in general hospitals. Only private hospitals were attending to such patients and people had to spend a lot of money. We are providing free treatment,” the ZP CEO said.