CBM India enhances eye care in Bengaluru rural with new kits & training for health workers

New Delhi: To boost eye health services in the Bengaluru Rural District, CBM India has distributed vital eye screening kits and assistive devices to healthcare workers and residents in Nandhagudi.

The initiative saw forty community health workers, including ASHA workers, auxiliary nurse midwives, and community health officers, equipped with specialized kits. These kits, which include a backpack, vision charts, a measuring tape, a water bottle, a notepad, and a pen, enable the health workers to conduct eye screenings directly within their communities. CBM India also provided training sessions to ensure effective use of the equipment, helping workers to identify vision issues and refer individuals to specialists as needed.

Moreover, the event included the distribution of assistive devices, such as seven wheelchairs, three assistive canes, and one commode chair, to residents with disabilities. This initiative aims to improve mobility and overall quality of life for these individuals.

Sony Thomas, Executive Director of CBM India Trust, highlighted the importance of early detection in preventing vision loss. “At CBM India, we are committed to ensuring that no one in our community is left behind when it comes to timely access to quality eye care. By equipping community health workers with the necessary tools and training, and providing assistive devices to persons with disabilities, we are taking a significant step towards enhancing eye health and improving the overall well-being of the people of Nandhagudi and the neighboring villages,” he said.

This initiative, part of CBM India’s Corporate Social Responsibility program, tackles the challenges rural communities face in accessing affordable eye care. Over the past year, the program has reached over 10,000 people through eye screenings, facilitated around 300 cataract surgeries, and distributed more than 700 spectacles.

The program aligns with the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCB-VI), underscoring CBM India’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and accessible healthcare system.