Roche Diagnostics India screens 5,000 children for eye health across India

New Delhi: Roche Diagnostics’ India and Neighbouring Markets under the aegis of its flagship CSR initiative Project Roshni conducted eye check-up camps to screen 5,000 children across Palghar, Nanded, Mumbai, and Delhi.

It partnered with VisionSpring Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring affordable access to eyecare through free eye screenings and distribution of eyeglasses to those who are visually impaired. The screening programme commenced in Palghar, a primarily tribal dominated district located around 100 kms from Mumbai, covering 18 government schools. In Nanded,  the eye check-up camps were organised at 5  government schools and another 5 schools in Mumbai and Delhi.

Roche’s Project Roshni follows a comprehensive approach to community upliftment in underprivileged districts across Maharashtra. It offers anemia screening, school infrastructure development, nutrition support, financial literacy and has now added vision care to its areas of support. Started in 2015, Project Roshni has helped more than 8000 beneficiaries till date.

“While we have been working on addressing challenges in poor school infrastructure and nutrition for children, we realised poor eyesight was a vital reason behind children falling behind in their curriculum or dropping out from school. We are delighted to partner with VisionSpring Foundation to offer this easy intervention to the young ones and hope that this remedial intervention offers them long-term benefit,” said Manjira Sharma, Head of Communications & CSR at Roche Diagnostics India.

“By providing children with the eyeglasses they need, we are not only helping them to see clearly but also equipping them to learn better and have a bright future. Our partnership with Roche Diagnostics India is making essential vision screenings accessible to children who need them the most, improving both health and educational outcomes”, said Anshu Taneja, Managing Director, VisionSpring Foundation.

As part of the eye check-up, more than 550 children with vision issues received free prescription glasses and more than 50 students were referred for vision correction procedures. This initiative is a testament to Roche’s commitment to fostering long-term, sustainable change in the communities it serves.