The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : WHO to focus more on preventing childhood blindness

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 07, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

WHO to focus more on preventing childhood blindness

By S. Vijay Kumar

MADURAI, MARCH 6 . The World Health Organisation will lay more emphasis on preventing childhood blindness in India under the Vision 2020 programme.

As a prelude, steps are being taken to immunise young women against `German Measles' (Rubella), which often lead to vision and hearing problems in newborns, the WHO Consultant (Prevention of Blindness and Deafness), Ramachandra Pararajasegaram, said today.

Talking to The Hindu here, he said the Vitamin `A' deficiency and inadequate measles vaccination were a major reason for childhood blindness in rural areas. The primary health centres and non-governmental organisations should focus more on preventing blindness among children. "Though the number of visually impaired children is less than those with adult blindness, the number of years they (the children) live without vision is more. It will affect their studies and make them dependable on others till the last."

Paediatric services

Mr. Pararajasegaram said the health care delivery system should be more receptive to the needs of children. "We have to improve services in the paediatric wards of State-run hospitals. Though congenital disorders are not preventable, we can at least minimise other visual handicaps by educating the children to change their lifestyles and eating habits."

Screening camps

In a bid to correct refractive errors, the WHO was considering conducting screening camps in rural schools, in association with NGOs. Trained volunteers would conduct the camps and provide spectacles that were affordable. "Early diagnosis can go a long way in minimising eye problems. Even irreversible blindness caused by glaucoma can be prevented if it is detected and treated early."

The former president of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness said diabetic retinopathy was emerging as a cause for global concern, since it was steadily on the rise in developing countries. Many were not aware that diabetes would have an impact on the vision.

"We see obesity even in children these days. The people are getting used to minimum physical activity and erratic eating habits. Government agencies should promote health consciousness among the masses, involving NGOs. Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have shown appreciable results in controlling preventable blindness."

Corporate responsibility

Mr. Pararajasegaram said the corporate social responsibility was gaining momentum in the western countries. The corporate sector should contribute to the Vision 2020 programme, adopting villages to make them cataract-free. "They can reach out to the masses in underserved areas and address their health problems."

Many States were achieving the targets set under the Vision 2020. However, blindness due to cataract persisted in rural pockets, where the people were poor and ignorant of health issues.

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