Feasibility Study for Popularising Corneal Transplants in Rajasthan

Agency : ORBIS International, Bhoruka Charitable Trust and Government of Rajasthan

This study was undertaken to help eye banking and to make corneal transplant services a part of the available ophthalmic services in Rajasthan. Based on the findings, the study came up with the following recommendations:

  • High-level policy decisions are to be made on the extent of sustainable government role in eye banking / corneal transplantation / post-op follow-up services.
  • Basic decisions on acceptable standards and infrastructure for eye banking / corneal transplantation/post-op have to be made.
  • Decisions have to be made to start visible fund flows from the existing government schemes.
  • If private funds are needed to supplement efforts, there has to be high-level acceptance of the sharing of responsibility. For example, if financial aid for equipment / training is solicited, the sharing of responsibility for ensuring equipment maintenance and establishing accepted levels of training at selected institutions should be accepted and granted.
  • Concept of sharing of collected corneal tissues should be accepted.
  • Policies for long-term retention of trained personnel at eye banks / transplant centres are required to be in place.
  • More sessions on corneal transplant should be organised in medical colleges and on counselling regarding eye donation in nursing colleges. Schools of social work should also be involved.
  • Grief counselling should be continued and made part of the curriculum for medical schools.
  • Public awareness strategies (electronic, print and interpersonal communication strategies) should be incorporated on a priority basis in the overall agenda for combating corneal blindness in the State.
  • High-level approval of selected private and NGO partners should be notified to get support from all government institutions.

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