NATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR CONTROL OF BLINDNESS (NPCB)
National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) was launched in the year 1976 with the goal of achieving a prevalence rate of 0.3% of population by 2020.
The implementation of the programme was decentralized in 1994-95 with formation of District Health Society in each district of the country. The District Health Society is expected to enhance the coverage and improve quality of eye care services in the district
Main objectives are:-
- To reduce the backlog of blindness through identification and treatment of blind
- To provide comprehensive eye care services and quality service delivery by NPCB.
- To strengthen and develop human resources for providing eye care services
- To enhance awareness on eye care and prevention measures
- To secure participation of voluntary organization/private practitioners in eye care
- Focus areas for 12th five year plan :
- Free Cataract operations
- Assistance to NGO to look after other eye diseases
- School eye screening for refractive errors
- Free spectacles for poor school age group and old persons
- Setting up Vision Centres
- Collection of eyeballs from Eye Banks and Eye Donation Centres
- Construction of Eye Wards and Eye OTs
- Involvement of NGO and private practitioners in the programme
- Training of eye care personnel
- Intensive use of IEC for mass awareness
- Engagement of Opthalmic Surgeons and Opthalmic Assistants on contractual basis
- Maintenance of Opthalmic instruments supplied to various centres
- Monitoring through Management Information System
