Coimbatore, Nov. 28
The Sankara Eye Hospitals will open its 10th branch in Jaipur, Rajasthan, on December 7, Dr. R.V. Ramani, Founder and Managing Trustee of Sankara Eye Foundation - India (SEFI), announced here today.
Talking to the media, he said, "with our unique community eye care approach, we continue to provide qualitative and affordable eye care treatment and services to the rural poor with empathy and compassion".
"Being the 10th Sankara Eye hospital in the country and built with state-of–the-art facilities, the 225-bedded Jaipur Sankara Eye Hospital will be a boon to the rural poor there as 200 beds have been earmarked for free services", he added.
"In a country where 45 million are visually impaired and 12 million are totally without vision, which amounts to 1/3rd of the world's population of blind, preventive care approach has to be given a needed boost as 80 percent of blindness is either curable or preventive", he elaborated.
Explaining the unique 80:20 model of SEFI wherein 80 percent of the beneficiaries are rural poor, who receive totally free eye care, and the remaining 20 per cent can afford to pay for their treatment, Dr. Ramani stressed the need for community based approach in eye care “to deliver high quality eye care at the door steps of rural India".
Attributing the success of Sankara Eye Hospitals to its highly skilled and committed team, transparent approach and need-based objectives, SEFI founder emphasised the role of community, civil society and media in creating awareness among people about preventive eye care measures on the ground.
"Starting its operation in Coimbatore 40 years ago with a focus on providing free eye care to rural poor, Sankara Eye Hospitals has now spread its wings to major parts of the country" he proudly recalled.
Under its ambitious programme titled "Vande Mataram" SEFI aims at setting up of Sankara Eye Hospital in every state of the country.