NAMSAI, Feb 22: As part of the Integrated Primary Eye Care Model being implemented by the state government with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under its flagship health system strengthening initiative project NISHTHA, a unit was launched today here at SC-HWC Dharampur by Health Minister Alo Libang in presence of Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein.
Speaking at the event, Libang said that through the eye care model the state aims to ensure timely screening of eye-related problems for all so that treatment can be started free of cost and no one goes blind due to avoidable causes. Stressing on 'people’s first' approach, Mein informed that under the model, eye care services will be strengthened at the Health and Wellness Centres, supplemented by effective referral linkages to bring quality eye care services closer to people’s homes. Both the DCM and the Health Minister acknowledged the contribution of the partners, USAID-NISHTHA/Jhpiego and Operation Eyesight for developing the model. 
The model will be implemented in four zones comprising ten districts in two phases. While the first phase will cover three districts namely Changlang, Namsai and Lower Subansiri, the 2nd phase will be implemented in Upper Siang, Upper Subansiri, Kra Daadi, Kamle, Kurung Kumey, Papum Pare and Itanagar Capital Complex. As per details, four district hospitals will be strengthened to provide quality cataract surgical services and 9 Vision Centres will be established in the identified CHCs and district hospitals. 76 Vision Points and 52 Advanced Vision Points will be established at the SC-HWCs and PHC-HWCs respectively along with the launching of 10 Functional Mobile Vision Centres. The eye care model also aims to conduct 2,500 ophthalmic surgeries annually with training of 1700 health workers and reaching the target of ensuring 25 avoidable-blindness-free villages in the state. 
An eye care model of this kind is the need of the hour given the fact that Arunachal Pradesh has the second highest prevalence of blindness in the country at 2.28 %. The Central government has also recognized the importance of eye health and made it a part of the service delivery package of twelve comprehensive primary healthcare services under the ambitious Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) initiative.
Deputy Commissioner, Namsai R.K Sharma, DMO Dr Soreya Namchum, SNO-NVPBVI Dr Taba Khanna, SNO-HWC Dr Lobsang Jampa, SNO AIDS Control Programme Dr R. Rina and representatives from the partner organisations were present in the event. NHM PR 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
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