CBM India trust collaborates with AIIMS and RIO to inaugurate low-vision center in Amritsar

New Delhi: CBM India Trust, a prominent non-profit organization focusing on disability-inclusive development, joined hands with Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences (AIIMS) and the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology to launch a low-vision center at the Government Medical College, Amritsar.

This inauguration signifies a remarkable stride toward providing comprehensive eye care services for individuals with visual impairments.

The Low-Vision Center, established under CBM India Trust’s Roshini program is staffed with proficient professionals offering a wide array of services tailored to individuals with low vision. These services include assessments, advanced screenings, and solution-oriented consultations. Equipped with essential tools and devices such as spectacles, magnifiers, and talking watches, foldable canes, the center aims to enhance patients’ visual performance and quality of life.

As part of the initiative, outreach camps will be conducted in schools for the blind, providing eye screenings and assistive technology to those in need. Additionally, the center will extend support to individuals with visual impairments in obtaining disability certifications to facilitate access to government programs and benefits.

Sony Thomas, Executive Director of CBM India Trust, expressed his delight, stating, “We are delighted to inaugurate this Low-Vision Center in Amritsar, which is poised to achieve significant strides in promoting inclusive eye care services. Through our collaborative efforts, we aim to ensure that persons with low vision have access to specialized care and assistive technologies and to bring quality eye care within reach for all.”

Prof. (Dr.) Praveen Vashist, Professor and Officer In-Charge of Community Ophthalmology at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS, emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating, “We are delighted to partner with CBM India Trust in establishing this Low-Vision Center. This Center builds upon existing eye health services by offering specialized support tailored to the specific needs of individuals with low vision. This collaboration underscores AIIMS’s commitment to expanding access to specialized services, ensuring people who need it the most can benefit from this essential care. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Amritsar, for their invaluable support in implementing this project.”

The Roshini program has already significantly impacted, benefiting over 31,000 people, including persons with disabilities and marginalized communities. Aligned with the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment, the initiative aims to provide high-quality, accessible, and affordable eye care services to all individuals within the healthcare system framework.