According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in 2011 India had 62.4 million people living with diabetes which was equal to an 18 % rise just from year before. In consequence to this a rise in diabetes complications such as Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) will happen. It is estimated that the national incidence of DR is approximately 10.5 % which in Meghalaya would translate to 12,500 people. The problem is further aggravated by shortage of trained staff – of 11,000 ophthalmologists only 7-8 % are trained in management of DR. Current intervention strategies to reduce the prevalence of DR include a government mandated guideline for comprehensive management of DR. At the national level, a program called National Programme for Prevention and Control of Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Strokes (NPDCS) was launched including a multi-pronged strategy towards prevention and treatment, capacity building, human resource training and awareness initiatives. Nevertheless, DR treatment still lags significantly behind in most of India, as very few eye hospitals have a trained eye surgeon and/or a trained DR team. It is important to note here that the NPDCS guideline is yet to be implemented in the target area of Meghalaya, where diabetes care is relatively non-exiting. The objectives of this project is to build capacity of Bansara Eye Care Centre (BECC) in the prevention and treatment of blindness due to diabetic retinopathy through development of infrastructure, training of staff, awareness creation, screening of patients and improved care to people living with diabetes.
Bansara Eye Care Centre (BECC) is currently the only Diabetic Retinopathy Care provider in the state. The base hospital will be equipped to do surgical services and a tele-ophthalmology unit will also be equipped. Additional staff will be recruited to set up and run the project. Following all staff at the centre will undergo a minimum of one month training in a tertiary training centre.Furthermore training programme for different categories of health care professionals will be set up to build capacity for treatment and follow-up on people living with DR. An awareness campaign will be set up to reach 1.85 million people living in Meghalaya. Information on eye care will be provided in both urban and rural areas and especially target people living with diabetes. The activities will be divided into 4 different areas. Firstly an assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice will be done with materials already tested at Aravind Eye Hospital. After the survey is done materials on diabetes and DR will be developed to fit the needs. The materials will be done in the four dominant languages of the region. Screening camps will be set up all over the state to screen approximately 125,000 people for diabetes and eventually diabetic retinopathy. Screening will be done by a team of medical personnel with support of local network partners Service delivery will be the main theme of this project to ensure superior treatment of diagnosed cases of DR through counselling, treatment and follow-up.
• 2460 health care professionals trained including doctors, opthalmologists, optometrists, community health workers, diabetologists, nurses and ASHA workers • 925 Diabetic retinopathy awareness & screening camps conducted • 168,461 People will be screened • 9424 People detected with diabetes • 215,416 people sensitised on diabetes and diabetic retinopathy • 1,485 people with diabetic retinopathy treated