Innovative Indian Eye Surgery Network Wins $1 Million Gate Award
On May 29, in the annual meeting of Global Health council, Washington, the Aravind eye care system based in Tamil Nadu in Southern India is going to get an award of $ 1 million. It is the worlds largest prize for international health. This eye care system has a large surgery network in India that has prevented blindness in millions of people.
They are the eight recipient of the award ($ 1 million) for global health established by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000.
"Being blind in a rural village in the developing world leaves a person in darkness and dependence, often unable to earn a living or assist in the duties of their household," William H Gates Sr, the co-chair of the foundation, said in a statement announcing the award.
"Aravind has given sight to millions of men, women and children, enabling them to participate in the lives of their families and communities," he added.
Cataracts is a leading cause of blindness in India. Aravind started the network in 1976, from a rented house, with 11 beds. His mission was to eliminate needles blindness caused by cataracts by creating a network of hospitals and clinics that will treat poor people through lesser cost.
Till now they have treated 2.4 million cataract patients in the past year and performed 280,000 surgeries. The network provides eye exams, surgery with minimum costs, provides subsidizing care for poor people through fees paying customers and sale for eye care products.
Aravind network not only treats poor people, but they also train health professionals to work throughout the country and provides free eye exams in poor areas by using high speed broadband links from central hospitals.
Thulasiraj Ravilla, the executive director of the Lions Aravind Institute of Community Ophthalmology in India, thinks that this will be a major benefit for the organization.
Moreover, Aravind is planning of using this money for giving glasses to the needy people.
Source: Reuters
Filed under Cataract, Cataract Surgery, Eye Diseases, Eye Surgery, Eye Treatment
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