FREE CATARACT SURGERY
Treating people suffering from preventable blindness
Poverty and Poor health exists together among the economically weaker sections of the society. With regards to Vision Blindness there is no exception whether Poor or Rich. Cataract is most common worldwide and it affects elderly people. Even though cataract can be treated effectively, people from low income communities suffer due to lack of financial support for undergoing treatment or surgery
Though the prevalence of cataract blindness would decrease, the absolute number of cataract blind would increase from 7.75 million in 2001 to 8.25 million in 2020 due to a substantial increase in the population above 50 years in India over this period.
- Current status of cataract blindness and Vision 2020 – NCBI
Equitas understands that getting access to affordable healthcare is a key pain-point for weaker sections of the society. Many studies reveal that the reason for over indebtness among the underprivileged is due to unforeseen expenses spent on health.
Towards bridging this gap, Equitas has organized
Eye
screening
camps for the
benefit of over 27,80,339 members from 2008 to June 2023
RESTORING EYESIGHT
The more developed a cataract becomes, the harder it is for affected individuals to see, work for a living and for taking care of themselves as well as for carrying on everyday activities. These people stay productive despite their old age, working in farm land, cattle grazing, household chores and being with family and more. As their vision gets clouded because of cataract, their lifestyle and living becomes difficult everyday. They often live under the care of their children or live alone which makes them financially dependent. This restricts them from visiting a Doctor and getting treatment for this illness.
Equitas conducts eye check up camps across India and does screening at free of cost for the participants. Free Spectacles are given to the needy beneficiaries and Secondary Care like cataract Surgery is performed to the people from economically weaker sections of the community at free of cost.
LONG TERM IMPACT
Beneficiaries eye sight have been restored which helps them to continue with their everyday activities at ease without getting assistance from others.
| Details of CSR Initiatives | NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES | |
|---|---|---|
| Jun-23 | Cumulative From Nov-2008 to March-2024 | |
| No of Eye-Camp Participants | 25,388 | 2,780,339 |
| No of free spectacles | 433 | 121944 |
| Cataract Operations | 270 | 35198 |
