REPORT: An Evaluation of the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment, COVID-19 Disruptions and the Way Ahead for Universal Eye Health

NPCBVI report eye statistics IMPRI 2022

Arjun Kumar, Anshula Mehta, Simi Mehta and Kuldeep Singh

NPCBVI report eye statistics IMPRI 2022

Abstract

Vision loss and impairment impacts more than how people see – their capability, employability, income, access to education and healthcare, and more. Vision makes an important contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and with 80% of vision loss being avoidable (as per the WHO), there is a need for government to invest more proactively towards ensuring universal eye health. The National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) has played an important steering role in India’s efforts in blindness prevention in the South Asia region. Despite of majority of the causes of vision impairment are preventable or addressable through timely detection and screening, yet eye care is not an integral part of universal health coverage. The early advantage due to NPCBVI has now diminished and country is struggling to complete the cataract surgery backlog. However, at the same time, the high prevalence of refractive error is a huge concern for the country. With the last two years spent in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, many new issues for eye care have emerged, including the impact on availability and accessibility of eye care services, and children’s eye health in light of the online teaching-learning paradigm. The eye care sector needs a renewed thrust to clear the backlog of pending eye health services, including cataract surgeries, and to be well-integrated with the agenda of universal health care. Inclusion in coverage must remain a priority, as the country moves ahead with an ageing demographic towards the attainment of SDGs and India@2047.

Report – An Evaluation of the NPCB, COVID-19 Disruptions and the Way Ahead for Universal Eye Health – IMPRI Aug 2022Download

An Evaluation of the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment, COVID-19 Disruptions and the Way Ahead for Universal Eye Health

(https://www.impriindia.com/insights/national-programme-eye-health/)

About Authors

Dr Arjun Kumar pic IMPRI

Dr Arjun Kumar, Director- IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute

Dr Simi Mehta

Dr Simi Mehta, CEO- IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute

Anshula Mehta IMPRI

Anshula Mehta, Senior Assistant Director & Deputy Editor- IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute

Kuldeep Singh edited

Kuldeep Singh, Regional Director (India & Bangladesh) at Seva Foundation, USA

Author

  • Arjun Kumar

    Arjun Kumar is the Director of the Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI), New Delhi. He holds a PhD in Economics from the Centre for the Study of Regional Development, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. With training in development economics, he specialises in quantitative and qualitative research methods, econometrics and the use of statistical software to crunch big data. He has been a Visiting Faculty at the Institute for Human Development (IHD) amongst others and has been associated with several think tanks, research institutes, governments, civil society organisations, and private enterprises. He is President of a Jharkhand based NGO (registered in 2010), Manavdhara- a youth social organisation working for humanitarian causes in backward regions and for marginalised communities. He has also taught Economics at the University of Delhi. His research interests are in the economy, development studies, housing and basic amenities, urban and regional research, inclusive and sustainable development, data and evidence-based policy, and, research methods. He has several research publications to his credit and has experience of being involved in research projects of international and national repute. He is also a member and part of various government and non-government formed committees, groups, and advisory boards overseeing the deliberation as subject matter expert and for possessing strong research acumen. He is an avid writer and frequently writes on various dimensions of economic issues, policies, and their impact for several eminent media platforms.

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