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Organization Overview

About VISION 2020: The Right to Sight INDIA

VISION 2020: The Right to Sight – INDIA is a key driver of joint global initiative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) for reducing avoidable visual impairment. It is a collaborative effort of INGOs, NGOs, eye care organisations in India and Dr RP Centre, AIIMS, to coordinate and advocate for improved eye care programs; to gain and share knowledge and together develop solutions to achieve quality, comprehensive and equitable eye care. We are governed by a Board of 16 members.

As A Collective, We Are An Audible Voice For A Positive Change

Towards Advocacy and Collaboration with the Government

Our prime objective is advocating with the government – both at the Centre and State level to influence policy changes for improved and effective eye care delivery programmes. We have established good coordination with the NPCB. The ministry recognises VISION 2020 – INDIA as a nodal body to make representation on behalf of eye care NGOs across the country to voice their concerns. We represent a link between our members and the government for understanding policies and their development. Senior offcials from the health ministry have been part of VISION 2020 – INDIA’s consultations and guided the Board on future plans. We collaborate with our members and NPCB for several programmes: conducting national World Sight Day, supporting the development of national policies, developing resources and manuals on eye care issues. The manuals have been acknowledged by the NPCB. Our conferences and workshops offer members a platform for meeting senior government officials. Our members can benefit from this.

History

VISION 2020: The Right to Sight – INDIA was formally launched on 26 May, 2004. The first national secretariat was established at LAICO, Madurai, Tamil Nadu and was inaugurated by Dr.G.Venkataswamy or Dr V, as he is popularly known. The first president of the national forum was Mr R D Thulasiraj. The process for the shape of the forum and its role began a year before its formation – in 2003.

It was in January 2003 that around 50 key INGOs and NNGOs working in eye care in India held a workshop in collaboration with the government from 27th to 30th January at L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad. The aim was to discuss the role of each one of them in VISION 2020 and National Program for Control of Blindness (NPCB). The national meet acknowledged the commitment of the Government of India to the NPCB and also resolved to create Vision 2020 India forum at the national level. As a first step, a national level Steering Committee was formed.

The Steering Committee of VISION 2020 – INDIA forum met for the first time at the Dr RP Centre, AIIMS in New Delhi on 25th April to initiate the process of incorporation of VISION 2020 INDIA with the initial partnership support from the founder members consisting of 7 INGOs and 3 NNGOs. The meeting also discussed national mapping, State launches and other deliverables.

The second meeting of Steering Committee for VISION 2020 – INDIA was held at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Science, Bangalore on 24th July. The meeting discussed the progress in incorporation of VISION 2020 India with a greater clarity about the founder members, types of other membership, governing council, location and programs and activities for VISION 2020 India.

The third meeting of Steering Committee of VISION 2020- INDIA was held on 28th September at Hyderabad to discuss resource support for the forum in particular and resources for programs in general besides incorporation process.

The fourth Steering Committee meeting of VISION 2020 – INDIA met on 17 March at Dr. R.P. Centre AIIMS, New Delhi to review the progress of the incorporation, appointing CEO for VISION 2020 India and had formal election of office bearers for VISION 2020- INDIA ‘S incorporation. The Steering Committee was dissolved.

The VISION 2020- INDIA was incorporated under Tamil Nadu Society Act. at Madurai. The national forum became functional with the joining of Executive Director at LAICO premises at Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

The VISION 2020 – INDIA national secretariat was set up at LAICO premises, Madurai and was inaugurated by Dr.G.Venkataswamy.

In October 2004, the World Sight Day by VISION 2020 -INDIA was observed in partnership with Government of India.
Thulasiraj

R D Thulasiraj
1st President of VISION 2020 – INDIA

"VISION 2020 INDIA forum came into existence over two decades ago to supplement the government's efforts with a coherent and well-coordinated approach. A lot has been achieved through various initiatives to improve what we do as individual members, as well as collectively in working with the government, by influencing policies and creating a more enabling eco-system for all of us to work in. While we have a lot to celebrate, the agenda is far from being done. We have a long way to go towards achieving universal eye health and for conditions like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and eye care to children. Together we can achieve this and more ...."

VISION 2020: The Right to Sight – INDIA (VISION 2020 INDIA) has been formed in year 2004 as a national forum for eliminating avoidable blindness in India. It is a key driver of the joint global initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) for reducing avoidable visual impairment.

  • vision

      An India free of avoidable blindness, where every citizen enjoys the gift of sight. The visually challenged will thrive, experiencing enhanced quality of life as their right.

  • mission

      We aim to collaborate with eye care organizations in India to eliminate avoidable blindness and support the rehabilitation of visually challenged individuals, fostering a more inclusive society.

  • aims

      Strengthening advocacy at all levels is essential for reducing the disease burden. This requires enhanced infrastructure and human resources to ensure effective health interventions and support systems.

Origin

Blindness: Vision 2020 – The Global Initiative for the Elimination of Avoidable Blindness

Efforts to address the problem of blindness have been on since 1882. When World Health Organization (WHO) was founded in 1948, there were no specific activities for blindness prevention. Trachoma was the first blinding disease to which WHO directed its attention.

It was in mid-1970s, the late Sir John Wilson amongst others began to draw the international community’s attention to the problem of global blindness. These efforts led to the setting up of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) in 1975, with Sir John Wilson as the Founder President. The founding members were the World Blind Union (WBU) and the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO).

At a country level, India was the first country in the world to launch a comprehensive nationwide program for the prevention and control of blindness – National Programme for the Control of Blindness (NPCB) in 1976. The focus then was largely on trachoma.

Towards a global effort, VISION 2020:The Right to Sight – the Global Initiative for the Elimination of Avoidable Blindness by the year 2020 was formally launched from W.H.O. Headquarters, Geneva in 1999. INDIA was among the 183 countries in the world signatories to the VISION 2020 The Right to Sight global initiative.

In May 2003, the WHO Resolution on Elimination of Avoidable Blindness was adopted by the 56th World Health Assembly, calling on all member states to commit themselves to VISION 2020 plans by 2005.

Further, member states were to establish national coordinating committees, which were to implement the national plans by 2007. The resolution also supported the mobilisation of resources to achieve a successful programme. In response to the acceptance of the Resolution, the VISION 2020 Tool Kit was developed to provide guidance and support for Governments and health professionals at all stages of development in 2003.

In India, VISION 2020: The Right to Sight – INDIA is launched in 2004. This was in coordination with all INGOs working in the area of blindness in India, the government, centres of excellence in eye care in India and premier eye institute, Dr RP Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS.

In 2007, the Global Initiative for the Elimination of Avoidable Blindness Action Plan 2006-2011 was released by the WHO.

The2009-2013 Action Plan for the Prevention of Avoidable Blindness and Visual Impairment was endorsed by the 62nd World Health Assembly in 2009

The 66th World Health Assembly unanimously approves ‘Universal Eye Health: A Global Action Plan 2014-2019’. The plan, building upon and replacing previous VISION 2020 and 2009 – 2013 Action Plans, commits governments to a 25% reduction in the prevalence of avoidable visual impairment by the year 2019 from the baseline of 2010.

In India, VISION 2020: The Right to Sight – INDIA held a national consultation in 2015 in collaboration with the WHO India, the Indian Health Ministry, IAPB south Asia and INGOs to adopt the Global Action Plan report 2014 – 19 to chalk out a road map for India.

Source:http://www.iapb.org/about-iapb/iapb-history