Sankara Eye Hospital Signs MoU With Government Of Karnataka

In a significant leap towards ensuring comprehensive eye care for pre-term infants, Sankara Eye Hospital Bangalore, one of India's leading eye care service providers has formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Karnataka. This strategic collaboration is geared towards conducting extensive eye screening programs for pre-term babies in taluks of Bangalore Rural namely Doddabalapur, Nelamangala, Devanahalli and Hosakote.

The MoU signed marks a pivotal moment in the efforts to address visual impairment in pre-matured babies. The joint initiative aims to provide timely and specialized eye care services to this vulnerable demographic, reinforcing Sankara Eye Hospital's determination in serving the community on a large scale.

Screening for Retinopathy of Prematurity(RoP) is challenging in India owing to the limited resources, a vast at-risk population and lack of awareness among the public. Addressing ROP in India requires a comprehensive approach involving multiple sectors, considering the magnitude of the problem and the expected increase in need for ROP services due to the increased survival of preterm infants following improvements in neonatal care.

Mr. Gnanasekaran C, Unit Head, Sankara Eye Hospital, Bangalore said, "This partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to eliminating preventable blindness. By joining forces with the Government of Karnataka, we are leveraging our expertise and resources to make a lasting impact on the visual health of pre-term infants in Bangalore Rural."

Dr. Divyansh Mishra, Consultant, VR Ocular Oncology & Vitroretinal Service, Sankara Eye Hospital, Bangalore said "This partnership is a significant step towards ensuring that every child, regardless of their birth circumstances, has access to quality eye care. The partnership will also focus on raising awareness about the significance of early eye screening for pre-term babies. We will work with the Government to implement outreach programs, ensuring that parents and caregivers are informed about the importance of eye health in infants. By supporting the Government, we will contribute to the broader goal of creating a healthier and brighter future for our youngest citizens."

The collaboration entails collective efforts in training healthcare professionals and equipping them with the necessary skills to conduct eye screenings effectively. This capacity-building element aims to create a sustainable impact by empowering local healthcare providers with the knowledge and tools needed to address eye health in pre-term infants.