With more than 61 million people living with diabetes the burden of diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in India. Despite this high number, diabetes awareness is still extremely low, especially in rural areas, where access to care is likewise limited. Jharkhand is the second poorest state of the country with extremely poor medical facilities. A survey by the Indian Council of Medical Research and collaborating institutions has shown that 13 persons in 100 have diabetes in urban Jharkhand. But the diabetes prevalence is just 3 per 100 in the state’s rural areas. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 18% in an urban population with diabetes mellitus in India. Initiatives, policies and action plans to fight diabetes are weak and fragmented. Early detection and treatment in needed to prevent many from going blind due to Diabetic Retinopathy. Preventing loss of vision due to Diabetes and initiating quality services at affordable cost for Diabetic Retinopathy
The first objective is to raise awareness of diabetes, its impact on health and eye. This will be done through development of information, education and communication materials. An awareness campaign on diabetes, DR and early treatment will be organized in villages. This will among many other things include meetings in villages to educate its inhabitant’s on diabetes, its complications, management, care, healthy lifestyle etc. Eye screening camps will also be organised in the villages on a frequent basis. The camps will span over three days; day 1 creating awareness of the camp to get participant to be screened, day 2 screening of persons conducted and day 3 and onwards treatment of people detected with diabetes in hospitals, where they will brought to by the project. Hospital clinics will be equipped and staff trained accordingly to treat and care for the referred patients. Patients detected at screening camps and at the hospital will be followed up on a regular basis.
• 262,148 people reached through awareness & screening camps • 26,126 people screened for diabetes • 1 clinic established or strengthened• 847 patients treated through established clinics • 2 doctors trained • 2 nurses trained • 4 paramedics, educators and others trained • 254 awareness and/or screening camps conducted