With 30,000 fresh cases of blindness being reported in the country every year, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Harsh Vardhan has announced a review of the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB).
A Centrally-funded scheme, the NPCB was launched in 1976 to reduce the prevalence of blindness. “However, the rate has not shown appreciable difference even after 28 years,” the Minister noted in Bangalore on Thursday.
The Rapid Survey on Avoidable Blindness conducted during 2006-07 showed a reduction in the prevalence of avoidable blindness from 1.1 per cent in 2000 to one per cent in 2006. The NPCB has now targeted to bring down the prevalence of blindness to 0.3 per cent by 2020 from the present level of one per cent. While he is pushing for the full utilisation of funds earmarked for the NPCB for the 12th Plan period (2012-17) with the State governments, the Minister is also seeking the help of non-government organisations to promote eye donation. “There are many lapses on the part of both donors’ families and eye banks in implementing the wishes of a donor. Often the bereaved family members forget to call the eye banks. At other times, the collectors fail to turn up on time,” he said at a function.
Appreciating the concept of ‘vision ambassadors’ — volunteers who act as link between donors and eye banks — being followed in Bangalore, the Minister said it should be replicated.
