a): whether the Government while taking cognizance of the births and death ratio proposes to conduct awareness campaign for motivating eye donation across the country in order to make India blind free nation;
b) if so, the details thereof ;and
c): if not, the reasons therefore?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(DR.BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)
(a) to (c):
As per National Blindness & Visual Impairment Survey (2015-19), the cataract and the corneal disease were found to be the major causes of blindness. National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCB&VI) conducts Information, Education &Communication (IEC) campaigns on regular basis for promoting eye donation in the country.
NPCB&VI is working towards creating awareness about eye donation among the masses and topromote eye banking and eye donation with the help of other stakeholders. The following events/activities are being undertaken in this regard:
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• Celebrating Eye Donation Fortnight from 25th August to 8th September;
• Broadcasting of video clips and audio messages in various national languages through TV and radio channels;
• Appointment of Eye Donation Counselors in the identified Eye Banks to promote eye donation and timely collection of donated eyes.
• Grant in AID to the States/UTs for promoting IEC activities and Strengthening of Eye Banks and Eye Donation Centers in the country by providing required ophthalmic equipments and manpower.
• In-service training of doctors in Eye Banking & Corneal Transplantation Surgery.
• Continuation of dedicated phone line 1919 automatically linked with the area Eye Banks in metro cities
• Promotion through print and electronic media
• Organizing rallies in public places
• Poster competition and awareness amongst school children
• Honoring donor families in the annual functions organized by major eye banks during Eye Donation Fortnight.
In addition,the National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is also conducting awareness campaign on entire Organ Donation, including eye donation. This year following campaigns have been organized by NOTTO:-
? Organized Indian Organ Donation Day (DAIC), Janpath, New Delhi on 27th November, 2021.
? In India International Trade Fair (IITF)-2021 held during14th to 27th November, 2021 in PragatiMaidan, New Delhi approximately 300 pledges were received for Organ Donation..
? Regularly posting awareness posts on Twitter to increase and strengthen the Organ Donation Programme.
? Organized poster making competition at Nehru Planetarium, New Delhi on 22nd November,2021
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