Around 51 million people in India have diabetes and many of them are potentially at risk of impaired vision or lost eye sight due to diabetic retinopathy.It is estimated that 15 to 25% of people with diabetes in India have diabetic retinopathy.Diabetic retinopathy is a silent complication since it is asymptomatic when still treatable but when vision is severely impaired or lost it is often too late for intervention.Furthermore, in India many ophthalmologists are not trained in the management of diabetic retinopathy - making it even more difficult to ensure timely detection and treatment of the condition.The project seeks to make diabetic retinopathy services available, affordable and accessible to people in at least six districts in Orissa.
This project will be implemented in Orissa State in the eastern part of India. Orissa is one the poorest states in India with around 48% living below the poverty line. In the districts selected for intervention, more than 80% of the population live below the poverty line.The partner in the project is the Kalinga Eye Hospital & Research Centre situated in Dhenkanal town. Since its inception in 2002 the hospital has been working with a strong poverty focus. Hence, 88% of patients at the hospital are treated for free or at reduced rates as they are not able to pay the full amount. The funds for these free services are generated from paying patients and from national and international agencies.The project includes training, screening and treatment and health education.Initially, workshops on diabetes and diabetic retinopathy will be conducted for 90 ophthalmologists and general practitioners. Focus will be on detection and diagnosis of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. This is important since many doctors have insufficient knowledge about the complication and training them will help ensure early detection.In addition, 150 community workers will be trained. They will assist in the community outreach activities such as screening camps and health education.A total of 108 screening camps will be conducted. This number includes both screening for diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. Screening for diabetic retinopathy will also be incorporated into existing cataract screening camps in the districts in order to reach more people. It is expected that 60,000 people will be screened. For screening and outreach activities a mobile unit with screening facility will be set up.Those who have diabetes will be counselled and referred for treatment in order to avoid diabetes complications like diabetic retinopathy in the future. It is estimated that 10,000 people will need these services.Moreover, approximately 1,000 people will need treatment for diabetic retinopathy. These people will be brought to the hospital in Dhenkanal town where they will receive laser treatment or surgery for advanced cases of retinopathy free of charge.In order to create awareness on diabetes and diabetic eye diseases, especially diabetic retinopathy, awareness and health education will be organised in the communities. Awareness and health education activities will include diabetes related exhibitions, fairs, diabetes day celebrations, distribution of educational materials on diabetes and diabetic retinopathy as well as press meetings and articles in newspapers. Approximately 500,000 people will be reached through these activities.
• 96 doctors trained • 1590 community workers trained • 67,835 people screened for diabetes • 12,528 people with diabetes counselled and treated • 1,002 people with diabetes treated for diabetic retinopathy• 515,200 people reached with information on diabetes