Blindness Control
Problem Background :
Prevalence of blindness in Melghat is higher than rest of India, because of refractive error (for diminished vision), vitamin "A "deficiency, cataract, injury etc. Unavailability of an eye surgeon, a well equipped operation theater, superstitions, illiteracy & poor socio-economic conditions were underline causes when MAHAN started work in 1998.
MAHAN Intervention & Impact :
Initially Dr. Kavita, the only Ophthalmologist in this area, faced the challenge of very low health seeking behavior specially for cataract surgery.
During initial days Dr. Kavita personally visited more than 400 villages including difficult to access villages like ‘Kokmar’, and conducted door to door screening of >4 Lakh villagers & schools students and provided free treatment for needy. Patients who were in need of surgery were brought to hospital & operated upon. MAHAN has full-fledged eye hospital including well equipped modular operation theater.
Vision Provided, especially tribal children and women >32,000
Eye Surgeries (most of them free of cost Cataract Operations) >3,000
Spectacles given to students (most of them free of cost) & people -20,000
Students & villagers screened - 4,70,000
SUCCESS STORIES
Before cataract surgery, Jiyalal decided to commit suicide due to blindness and starvation due to unemployment. But due to cataract surgery at MAHAN, he started earning for his family and living healthy life.
PHOTO GALLERY
Dr Kavita, examining poor tribal in middle of jungle thus providing services to last tribal, .