Success-Stories-on-Health-Sector

ProbleM stateMent
Tripura has been facing acute shortage of modern
ophthalmic infrastructure and Ophthalmologists.
There is only one public sector civil hospital, the Indira
Gandhi Memorial (IGM) Hospital (base hospital) in the
capital of the State that serves the need for all the primary,
secondary and tertiary eye-care support. Seventy-four
percent of the population that resides in the rural areas
has to spend a considerable amount on transportation and
accommodation to avail of these services. At present, a total
of 19 Ophthalmologists and 26 Ophthalmic Assistants/
Optometrists are catering to the needs of 37 lakhs of
residents. By 2016, the numbers are estimated to reduce
further as out of the 20 Ophthalmologists, 10 will retire from
service, implying that only 8 or 9 Ophthalmologists will be
providing eye-care to a projected population of 40 lakhs.
PrograMMe DescriPtion
The model of Vision centre was envisaged in the year
April, 2007 through the “Vision 2020” global initiative
for elimination of avoidable blindness, a joint programme
of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the
International Agency for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).
The project currently serves a rural population size of
approximately 3.7 million people in remote areas, spread
across 44 blocks of 8 districts in the State of Tripura. The
establishment of 44 Tele-ophthalmology Centres was done
in a phased manner.
Phase i: One Centre started on 7th April, 2007 at Melaghar
R.D Block on pilot basis.
Phase ii: Ten Centres started on 30th September 2008.
Phase iii: Twenty nine Centres started on 1st October 2009.
Phase iV:
a. Once Centre started on December, 2014.
b. hree Centres started on 1st January, 2015.
financial investMent
Total Fund Received from GoI – Rs. 534.07 lakhs.
scalability
The model is definitely scalable and is evident in the way
the current pr oject has been able to serve the entire State
of Tripura, starting with just a pilot at one block. The
phased implementation of the project over a period of time
has tested the potential to scale-up and sustain the field
requirements.
conclusions/lessons learnt
The model of Vision Centre was envisaged in the year
April, 2007 through the “Vision 2020” global initiative for
elimination of avoidable blindness, a joint programme
of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the
International Agency for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).
The project currently serves a rural population size of
approximately 3.7 million people in remote areas, spread
across 44 blocks of 8 districts in the State of Tripura. The
establishment of 44 Tele-ophthalmology Centres was done
in a phased manner.
reference
http://indiagovernance.gov.in/bestpractices.php?id=932.
Contact
Nodal Officer
Tripura Vision Centre (Tele-ophthalmology) Project IGM
Hospital, Agartala
Phone: 0381-2323332/2321091
Group Head (Health Initiatives)
IL&FS Education& Technology Services Ltd
1st Floor, NTBCL Building, Toll Plaza, DND Flyway,
Noida, U.P.
Phone: 0120-2459200 | Fax: +91-120-2459201
Teleopthalmology-The project currently serves a rural population size of approx 3.7 million
people in remote areas spread across 44 blocks of 8 districts in the state of Tripura
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