Clinical Ophthalmology (Oct 2018)
Universal eye health in Odisha, India, Sunetra. Report # 1. Program planning
Abstract
Taraprasad Das,1,2 Sabyasachi Pattanayak1,3 On behalf of the Odisha Universal Eye Health Empowered Committee 1Odisha Universal Eye Health Program, Hyderabad, India; 2Srimati Kanuri Shantamma Center for Vitreoretinal Diseases, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India; 3Department of Ophthalmology, Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar, India Purpose: To describe the program planning of Sunetra (Healthy Eyes), the universal eye health coverage in the Indian state Odisha. Methods: The Indian state of Odisha launched the universal eye health coverage in October 2017. This is the first Indian state to officially respond to the World Health Organization’s Global Action Plan. Results: The Government of Odisha pledged INR 6,820 million (US$ 100 million approximately) spread over 5 years. Each third of the pledged money is allocated for immediate direct benefit, building the infrastructure and human resources, and creating a digital eye health platform for uniform documentation and policy planning. Conclusion: It is hoped that at the end of 5 years, by 2022, the state will attain the goals prescribed in the Global Action Plan in eye care. Keywords: universal eye health, Odisha, India
