Achievements of Punjab Government under National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB)-For the month ofMay 2017

Current Status:-It covers all the districts of Punjab. The services are delivered by Govt. Hospitals, Medical Colleges and Private Practitioners/NGO Hospitals.

Status of Infrastructure and Equipment:

  • Emphasis is on Phaco Emulsification so latest eye equipment for Stitch less Cataract Surgery like Phaco Machines have been provided in District Hospitals. Operating Microscopes ,Slit-lamps, A-scan, Hydraulic OT Tables, Keratometer and Auto-refractometers are there in District Hospitals and Sub-Divisional Hospitals.
  • Flash Autoclaves have been installed in all District Hospitals for improved and quick sterilization of instruments.
  • All District Hospitals have Yag Laser equipment, for treatment of post-operative opacification of posterior capsule and to treat Glaucoma.
  • Ophthalmic refraction units are installed in District Hospitals and Sub-Divisional Hospitals.
  • Equipment/Consumables have also been provided to GMCs under NPCB. Tenders have been floated by PHSC for procurement of equipment worth Rs.300 lakhs. RC for IOLs, Viscoelastics, Microsurgical Instruments/Blades, Sutures etc has been done.
  • Regular IEC activities are being undertaken for awareness about prevention and treatment of eye diseases. World Glaucoma Week, World Sight day and Eye Donation fortnight is being celebrated.
  • Capacity building :More than 50 Eye surgeons have been trained under NPCB in SICS/PHACO/Medical Vitreo-retina etc.
  • Link for Eye Donation form available at pbhealth.gov.in
  • Information regarding nearest eye bank available by calling toll free no. 104.

Innovation/Award/Best Practices:-

Best Practices for the success of the programme is as follows:-

  1. Good infrastructure and equipment in all the District Hospitals/Sub-Divisional Hospitals.
  2. Pledging of eyes with Driving License application.
  3. Guidelines for service delivery in Eye Camps formulated by Punjab Government.
  4. Planning underway to Declare Punjab a Corneal Blindness Backlog Free State. Dr. RadhikaTandon, Professor of Ophthalmology RP Center AIIMS, New Delhi has been guiding the Government in this project. All Government and Private Keratoplasty centers and some NGOs are coordinating with the Government.
  5. Dr. Amod Gupta Ex- Professor & Head, Advanced Eye Center PGIMER, Chd has been appointed as Professor Emeritus Ophthalmology Govt. of Punjab. He has performed tours to Govt. Medical Colleges Amritsar, Patiala and Faridkot and has suggested measures to be taken to upgrade facilities.

Other Department/Partners:- Education Department –(School Eye Screening) & Transport Department-(Pledging of Eyes with Driving License Application).

Achievement under NPCB

Eye Care Services / 2015-16 / 2016-17 / 2017-18 (May 2017)
Target / Achieve. / Target / Acheve. / Prop. Target / Achieve.
Cataract Surgeries / 1,74,400 / 1,84,156 / 184,352 / 203,969 / 30,725 / 35,719
IOL implantation / 1,75,135 / 1,83,150 / 175,135 / 203,082 / 29,189 / 35,638
Free Spectacles distributed to School Children / (Total No. of Refractive error) 35,299 / 24,235 / Total refraction done of School Children (25,976) / 23,657 / Total refraction done of School Children (3634) / 2,455
Eye Donations / 1000 / 773 / 1000 / 1257 / 167 / 203
Keratoplasty Performed / NIL / 542 / NIL / 646 / NIL / 73 (report pending from 4 Centres)