THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY)
(a) & (b): According to Dr. R.P. Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical
Sciences, New Delhi, there are approximately 9000 Optometrists (4 years course) in the country to
meet current requirement of around 1,25,000 qualified Optometrists as per WHO norms. As per
figures given by Delhi Optometrists Association, currently, there are around 44,000 (four and two
year trained) Optometrists in the country.
Under the National Programme for Control of Blindness, Ophthalmic Assistants are appointed on con
tractual basis at District Hospitals and Peripheral Health Centres/Vision Centres in States/UTs
for providing primary eye care services to meet the shortage of para-ophthalmic manpower.
(c) & (d): At present, details of Optometry schools/colleges/institutes and medical schools where
optometry and related course is being taught in the country are not maintained centrally. How
ever, according to Delhi Optometrists Association, there are 125 institutions in different States
providing Optometry training in India.
(e): A proposal has been received from the India Vision Institute, Hyderabad for developing of
twenty new Optometry schools in India. However, Dr. R.P.Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, New
Delhi has suggested for opening of Optometry Schools/Colleges/Institutes in all Regional Insti
tutes of Ophthalmology including six AIIMs like institutions in India, where basic infrastructure
for optometry is existing
.
(f): A Bill for National Commission for Human Resources for Health has been introduced in the
Rajya Sabha which is under examination by the Department related Parliamentary Standing Committee
on Health and Family Welfare. The proposed Bill provides for overall regulatory body in the form
of a Commission which shall regulate medical education and allied health sciences with dual purp
ose of reforming current regulatory frame work and enhancing the supply of skilled manpower in he
alth sector. No separate Council for Optometry is proposed in the Bill. However, as per the pro
visions of the Bill, Government will be empowered to constitute National Council for any other di
scipline of health as may be notified by it under relevant provision.
