Glimpses 2009-2010.pdf - LV Prasad Eye Institute

By October 2009, the Vision Centre at Indervelli had screened 6893 patients, prescribed spectacles
to 3593 patients, dispensed spectacles to 3093 patients. A total of 917 patients were counseled and
referred to LVPEI’s Seshanna Chennawar Eye Centre in Adilabad town.
The service delivery work at the Vision Centre of Indervelli has improved significantly. From as low
as 80 patients screened per month in 2006, patient volumes grew to an average of 180 patients per
month in 2009; from 32 spectacles dispensed per month in 2006 to 85 spectacles per month in 2009;
and from 29% of recurring cost recovery to 120% cost recovery in 2009, respectively. This certainly
could not have been achieved without Narahari’s efforts. To be effective, a health care provider must
gain an understanding of the patients’ perspective on his or her illness and Mr Narahari, the Vision
Technician of Indervelli, did just this.
Dealing with the diabetes epidemic
Persons with diabetes have a significantly
higher risk of vision loss than the normal
population. In recognition of the increased
risk of blindness faced by diabetics, ICARE
has instituted the Prakasam District
Diabetes Prevention Program through Child
to Family Communication, targeting future
generations with preventive messages,
encouraging lifestyle changes to reduce
the risk of diabetes. Under the project,
8288 teachers and 119,743 children were
trained to serve as “health ambassadors”
in the district. They in turn reached out
to 2,403,978 people in their families and
neighbourhoods. Close to 84,000 people
were identified as being at high risk of
diabetes, and 10,522 people with diabetes
were counseled on comprehensive
diabetic care so as to prevent or minimize
complications related to the condition. The
schoolchildren were found to be effective
as health ambassadors and agents of change
in communities.
Bhulakshmi conducts a diabetes risk assessment on her grandmother
Swarna Bhulakshmi is a 7 th grade student who participated in this project. When Swarna told her
65-year-old grandmother Raghavamma after a simple urine examination that she had high sugar levels,
the adult would not believe her. She sought another screening by the project staff, who confirmed that
she was diabetic and counseled her about ongoing care. Not only is Swarna proud to have played a
role in protecting her grandmother’s health, she has also learned important health lessons for her own
life.
RARE: A quick and convenient planning tool
Within ICARE’s mandate to develop efficient and cost-effective planning tools for public health,
which can help develop efficient models of service delivery, this Rapid Assessment of Refractive
Error (RARE) methodology was designed, validated, field tested and proven to be of great use. Given
that refractive error has been recognized as a major cause of avoidable blindness, it is imperative that
Excellence Equity Efficiency Page 25
F_Inside_Pgs.indd 25
9/2/2010 12:29:47 PM