Medical Outreach: Ophthalmology in Mumbai

In total numbers, India has the largest population of blind in the world. Since 1952, the National Association for the Blind (NAB) is caring for them.

One of NAB's institutions is the Kaikhushroo J. Chinoy Centre for Prevention of Blindness and Low Vision in Mumbai whose team is on the road every day to do eye screenings. These screenings are being held at schools or work places to reach members of certain trades.

From April 2010 to March 2011, 22818 children and 5182 adults have been screened. The focus during that year was on school children, slum dwellers of Janupada, Damupada and Shriramnagar, and children living in children's homes in Pune and Mumbai. From the 28000 individuals being inspected, 5971 got spectacles, 1463 got medicinal treatment, 450 were sent to cataract surgery and 1194 to keratoplasty at specialised hospitals.

Since the inception of the program, within a range of 15 years a total of 397,000 children and 80,000 adults have been screened. 47,000 spectacles, medicines for 10,000 individuals and 18,000 cataract and glaucoma surgeries have been carried out.

Professionals of the subject area and students of ophthalmology can participate in the screenings. As the screenings are being done by qualified medical practitioners, it should be possible to get approval as clinical elective for students of ophthalmology. 

Info box:

Location: Mumbai; India

Duration: min. 2 weeks

Previous experience required: Yes

Costs: Vatsalya expects a one-time contribution of 100 USD; Trouble-free package is optional ; Trouble-free package is optional

Accommodation: Not included

Meals: Not included

Included: Contact and contact person; when booking our "trouble-free package, all services of the trouble-free package are included.

Not included: Travel, insurance, visa.

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