Mobile diabetic retinopathy treatment

Area Partner Project responsible Duration Project budget WDF contribution Project number

Karnataka, India Vittala International Institute of Ophthalmology Dr. Praveen R. Murthy August 2005 - July 2008 USD 813,071 USD 489,471 WDF05-110

Objective

The project aims to create a programme to improve treatment for diabetic retinopathy in remote areas.

Expected Impact

• Appr. 280,000 people with diabetes are expected to benefit from the retinopathy treatment programme
• 70 ophthalmologists will be trained and get access to speciality equipment
• 100 local general practitioners will receive training in basic, intermediate and advanced diabetes management
• 96 local health workers will receive training in detection, motivation and counselling of people with diabetes
• A mobile unit will be created and is expected at the end of the project to have 70 regular halts every month in the target districts

Results to date as of June 2006

• A van visits each collaborating district once every three weeks, in an area covering 15 million people
• 36 opthalmologists have been trained
• 409 procedures have been conducted in the van, all patients with diabetes are given counselling on lifestyle
• 232 difficult cases were offered second opinions
• 24 retinal surgeries have been conducted, out of them 16 were given for free, the rest received consessions
• More than 2860 at risk persons have been screened by local doctors
• First level of training in diabetes management and patient counselling is completed for 86 doctors
• Training was given to 42 field and non medical clinical staff from the participating clinics
  

Additional information on the project can be found here.