CONTROL OF BLINDNESS
The Plan of Action for implementing National Programme for Control
of Blindness during Xth Plan has been prepared and being submitted
for approval of EFC/CCEA. It has been prepared in accordance with
outlines of Global Vision 2020: The Right to Sight initiative
launched by WHO and numerous countries. The plan includes controlling
blindness due to cataract, glaucoma, diabetes and refractive errors.
Special focus will be on prevention and control of blindness in
children.
National Programme for Control of Blindness is being implemented
throughout the country. Special attention is required in Assam,
Bihar, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir and Orissa where eye care
services are not fully developed and performance is low.
Physical targets and budget allocation are made in accordance
with requirements of the States. No proposal has been received
from State Governments for setting up new Regional Institute of
Ophthalmology.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Health
& Family Welfare, Shri A. Raja in a written reply to a question
from Shri C. Sreenivasan and Shri Ambareesha in the Lok Sabha
today.
