LAICO, 27^th June

As part of the collaborative activities between Aravind-Madurai and Novartis Arogyaparivar at 20 Aravind Vision Centres across AECS, an observation team consisting of Jerome, Research Associate, Biostatistics, Jhansi Sunitha, Manager, Vision Centre, and Mohammed Gowth, Senior Faculty, LAICO, visited two villages to assess the impact of health education given by the Vision Centres. They observed variations in knowledge regarding eye conditions and noticed differences in the delivery of health education among the staff. These variations have resulted in a reduced impact of health education and referral cards within the community. To address this issue, a refresher course was organised for the Arogya Parivar team members at LAICO. Field workers from the REACH project and Vision Centres also participated in the Programme. The sessions were handled by Dr. A. Kowsalya, Medical Consultant, Aravind-Madurai, Udaya Kumar, Senior Faculty, LAICO and Mohammed Gowth. Dr. Lalitha Prajna, Chief, Microbiologist, and Jhansi interacted with the participants.

Raipur/Durtlang/Jalgaon, 14-21 June

Dr. Balamuruganandaraj, Medical officer, Aravind-Pondicherry and B. Ganesh Babu, Senior Manager, Operations, AECS, visited Kantai Netralaya in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, from 18-21 June. The purpose of the visit was to assess the facility, systems, and processes in place, identify challenges faced, and explore opportunities for growth and expansion. The team visited the base hospital, attended an outreach programme, and visited a primary eye care centre in Chopda. They met with the team of doctors and administrative members to discuss their findings and opportunities, as well as to explain the collaboration exercise. Moreover, the team has been invited to a vision building workshop at LAICO.
Similarly, Yesunesan, Senior Faculty, LAICO, and Dr. Umakanth, Medical Officer, Aravind-Tirupati, conducted a visit to Synod Hospital in Durtlang, Mizoram, from 14-16 June. Syed Ali, Senior Faculty, LAICO, and Dr. Preethi Mohanty, Medical consultant, Aravind-Tirupati, from 8-10 June, visited MGM Eye Institute, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, to assess the infrastructure and functioning of the hospitals and to suggest recommendations for improving compliance with NABH standards.