(a) whether the Government has launched an awareness campaign to promote eye donation in the
country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the funds likely to be allocated and spent on such awareness campaign, State- wise; and
(d) the extent to which success has been achieved so far?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SMT.PANABAKA LAKSHMI)
(a)&(b) Creating awareness to promote eye donation is an on-going activity under National
Programme for Control of Blindness. The major steps taken to promote eye donation in the
country are as under:
1. The National Fortnight on Eye Donation from 25th August to 8th September is organized every
year to intensify educational motivational efforts all over the country.
2. Enhance mass awareness through messages on Television, Radio, Press and printed materials.
Organize panel discussion with eminent experts on Doordarshan and AIR.
3. Flashing the message on eye donation through well known websites.
4. Orientation training of hospital staff on grief counseling for motivating relatives of
terminally ill patients for eye donation.
(c) & (d) IEC is an approved component under National Programme for Control of Blindness.
During the year 2006-07, a sum of Rs.500.00 lakhs was allotted for IEC activities under
Central level and Rs. 161.40 lakh has been allotted to States/UTs for undertaking IEC
activities including awareness about eye donation at State level. During the year 2006-07
about 27917 donated eyes have been collected.