In August, on India’s Independence Day, our inclusive business 2.5 New Vision Generation committed to support the Indian State of Telangana with the ambition to eliminate uncorrected poor vision from the state. The program, aiming to screen each and every state citizen – an estimated 35 million people – was named Kanti Velugu (eye light). Today, only 5 months later, the government has already screened over 10 million people and helped 30% of them to improve their lives thanks to better vision.
Around 800 eye screening teams composed of optometrists, as well as specially recruited newly qualified doctors, paramedical staff, auxiliary nurses and village health coordinators, begun providing eye tests right after the official launch of this collaboration. Around 10,000 medical staff and 10,000 local people are expected to help over the period. Besides promoting visual health, the scheme – is creating temporary employment for unemployed medics. 114 private and government eye hospitals have been identified to conduct surgery for needy patients.
We are only able to fulfill this important government order thanks to the immense co-ordination within the Group, which enabled us meet the exceptional short lead times set by the government in this high profile project.
2.5 New Vision Generation, with the full support of our partner FGX, will deliver a total of 4.5 million spectacles, comprising reading and prescription glasses. “We are only able to fulfill this important government order thanks to the immense co-ordination within the Group, which enabled us meet the exceptional short lead times set by the government in this high profile project” said Milind Jadhav, Senior Director – Inclusive Business, Philanthropy & Social Impact – Greater India.
Today over 10 million people have already been screened, almost 1.7 million reading glasses have been distributed and 1.3 million people needed prescription glasses. Organization and coordination efforts for this one-of-its-kind operation have involved people at all levels, with the support of Ministers, members of state assembly and all government officials. Everyone is determined to make Kanti Velugu a success!