BUDGAM, OCTOBER 07: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam, Athar Aamir Khan, Wednesday distributed free spectacles among students at a programme held at Boys Higher Secondary School, Budgam, as part of the District Administration’s ongoing Children’s Eye Health Programme.
The programme is being implemented by the District Administration Budgam in collaboration with Nayonika Eye Care Charitable Trust, covering children in the 6–18 years age group across the district.
Under the initiative, 60,500 out of 70,280 students have been screened so far for vision-related issues. The screening has covered government schools across the district, with comprehensive screening carried out during September.
Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner said, “We have undertaken a comprehensive eye-screening programme covering all children in the 6–18 years age group in government schools across Budgam. So far, around 60,500 children have been screened.”
He said that the initiative is aimed at ensuring timely identification and treatment of vision-related problems among school-going children. “Around 450 children have been identified with vision-related difficulties or those requiring specialised eye care. Our focus is to ensure that every such child receives timely treatment and support,” he added.
The DC said that the second stage of the programme involves examination by ophthalmology teams at Sub-District Hospitals, where children requiring spectacles are assessed and their prescriptions prepared.
“After the initial screening, children requiring further examination are being assessed by ophthalmology teams at our Sub-District Hospitals. Based on the prescriptions, spectacles are being provided free of cost,” he said.
The DC further informed that the administration is working towards completing the screening of all students in government schools shortly. “We are hopeful that 100 per cent of the children in government schools will be screened within the next few days,” he said.
Emphasising the importance of continued care, the Deputy Commissioner said, “For children requiring specialised or tertiary-level treatment, we have also established linkages with medical colleges and tertiary care hospitals so that they receive appropriate treatment and follow-up care.”
The first batch of spectacles was distributed to students during the programme Wednesday, while the remaining identified beneficiaries are expected to receive their spectacles within the next 10–15 days.
