Restoring sight – the context for this application
WHO advise that restoration of sight is one of the most social and cost effective health interventions. This is a Rotarians Ophthalmic Initiative (ROI) and Blindness Prevention Donor Advised Fund (BPDAF)supported avoidable blindness project.
This project supports programs promoted by WHO, the International Agency for Blindness Prevention (IAPB), the Rotary Action Group for Blindness Prevention (RAGBP) and VISION 2020: THE RIGHT TO SIGHT, and many international eye-care charities, by encouraging Rotarians to help promote activities which will help eradicate avoidable blindness by the year 2020. It addresses our collective Clubs’ & Districts’ ambition to help 'make blindness history'. It supports the goals of Vision 2020 (India).
Needs criteria
India has the second highest percentage of blind people in the world. D3140, located in the NW of Mumbai is densely populated containing some 2.5m inhabitants. In 2004 the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai conducted a baseline survey covering 12,479 households in the tribal blocks of Thane district: It found that 28.4% of the population had a vision disability. Without early intervention, it is estimated that some 27,000 persons will go blind in the District each year.
What the project will achieve
This project is backed by five Clubs & 4 Districts. It will provide cataract surgery for some 1,700 people. The Host club of Mumbai Borivali East has recently successfully managed and completed two similar TRF projects, numbered 64699 & 65701. It will directly contribute to making poverty history for those it can help. The future of Rotary, through such projects, is indeed safe in our hands.
Selection criteria
A number of cataract detection camps will be undertaken in low income areas. Candidates will be selected solely on low income criterion. Those assisted will be the poorest of the poor. Host Club volunteers (including Rotarians) will screen candidates' income papers once every week (at 3 different locations): Beneficiaries will be operated on the following week to minimize the delays in their disability and optimize the impact that Rotarian engagement can have.
Environmental benefit
Consistent with RI’s ambitions, a tree or appropriate long living plant will be planted in each screening location to commemorate the project and make a small contribution to global pollution challenges.
In summary,
The project will fund some 1,700 cataract & IOL surgeries, at an average cost of $27.5. These will be undertaken free of charge to recipients. Thanks to DDF, BPDAF and TRF support the cost to Clubs of each cataract oeration is less than $4.
Timescale:
The Host and International Committees will implement the project within 12 months of commencement. An outline project plan in provided. | 
