(a) the total number of eye banks in the country, State/UT-wise;
(b) whether the Government has assessed the performance of these eye banks;
(c) if so, the findings thereof;
(d) whether the Government proposes to upgrade them and set up new eye banks in the
uncovered areas of the country; and
(e) if so, the details thereof alongwith the areas selected therefor, location-wise,
State/UT-wise?
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE(SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a): There are around 666 Eye Banks in the Country.State/UT wise list is Annexed.
(b) & (c): The performance of all components including Eye Banks under the National Programme
for Control of Blindness (NPCB) is constantly assessed and monitored through multiple
monitoring mechanism including analysis of structured monthly and quarterly reports,
official visits by the concerned officers, periodical review meetings/workshops at the
centre, state and district levels etc. The overall level of collection of donated eyes
for corneal transplantation has improved from around 28,000 during 2005-06 to 46,600
during 2009-10.
(d) & (e): The target under NPCB during the 11th Five Year Plan (2007-12) is to develop a
network of 30 Eye Banks in the country to facilitate collection and processing of donated
eyes by providing non-recurring assistance upto Rs.15 lakh per unit.NPCB being a
de-centralized scheme, selection of Eye Banks for support under the programme and their
field/area of work is done by the State Governments.