“NPCB: Achieving 20/20 Vision with India’s National Program for Control of Blindness”

“Explore how NPCB (National Program for Control of Blindness) is transforming eye care in India, reducing avoidable blindness, and enhancing community awareness through comprehensive eye health services.”

National Program for Control of Blindness (NPCB)

Introduction:

• India was the first country to initiate a blindness control program, starting with the “Trachoma Control Program” on March 30, 1963.
• The program evolved into the National Program for Control of Blindness (NPCB), with 100% central government assistance.

Objectives (12th Five-Year Plan):

• Reduce Avoidable Blindness: Focus on identifying and treating curable blindness.
• “Eye Health for All”: Provide comprehensive universal eye care services.
• Strengthen Infrastructure: Upgrade Regional Institutes of Ophthalmology (RIOs), medical colleges, and district hospitals.
• Community Awareness: Increase awareness about eye care and emphasize preventive measures.
• Expand Research: Conduct research to prevent blindness and visual impairment.
• Public-Private Partnership: Involve voluntary organizations and private practitioners in eye care delivery.

Strategies:

• Cataract Surgeries: Emphasize free surgeries through healthcare systems and NGOs.
• Comprehensive Eye Care: Focus on diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, corneal transplantation, and childhood blindness.
• Screening Programs: Screen populations above 50 years and school children for eye issues, provide free glasses to those in need.
• Underserved Areas: Expand eye care services in underserved regions through public-private partnerships.
• Capacity Building: Train health personnel and enhance infrastructure in RIOs, medical colleges, and district hospitals.
• Primary Eye Care: Establish vision centers in Primary Health Centers (PHCs) and deploy mobile ophthalmic units for better coverage.
• Community Involvement: Engage community and panchayati raj institutions in organizing rural services.

Referral System:

• Tertiary Level: Includes apex and regional institutes, and medical colleges.
• Secondary Level: District hospitals and NGO eye hospitals.
• Primary Level: Sub-district hospitals, CHCs, upgraded PHCs, mobile ophthalmic units, and link workers.

Key Services:

• School Eye Screening Program: Teachers screen children; those with refractive errors receive free corrective glasses.
• Eye Donation Promotion: Hospitals motivate eye donation, with eye donation fortnights held annually (August 25 – September 8).
• Vision 2020: The Right to Sight: A global initiative to eliminate preventable blindness by 2020, focusing on diseases like cataracts, refractive errors, and glaucoma.
• Universal Health-Global Action Plan (2014-2019): Aimed to reduce avoidable visual impairment by 25% by 2019.

These notes summarize the NPCB, highlighting its goals, strategies, and services for preventing and managing blindness in India.

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