To achieve quality eyecare, VISION 2020 – INDIA works with member institutions improving their capacity to provide quality services. . To build human resource capacity, VISION 2020 – INDIA has designed hospital based clinical and non-clinical training programs keeping in mind the importance of quality in eye care services. We partner with leading eye care institutes in developing best practices manuals on various relevant topics which would serve as a guide to adhering to quality. We also work towards enabling member institutions in conducting quality assessments at their institutes so that they can do a thorough review of their systems and are prepared for NABH accreditation.

• Advocacy with the government to develop quality protocols and share relevant resources with the government
• Peer Reviewed Quality Assessment: to assess the gaps in quality in all departments of a hospital and develop a plan to address them
• Hospital Management Information System: For improving the quality of services being rendered to patients by streamlining processes and improved monitoring.
• Facilitate various training programs to build capacity across cadres: Hospital Based Skill Transfer Programme.
• Develop manuals on best practices: these are protocols and guideline in not just in providing quality eye care but also quality systems in hospitals.

Equity is about the fair distribution of all resources throughout a group of people according to population, not individual need. Equity means not discriminating between people of different ethnicity, religion, age, gender, or social class, and delivering services in an acceptable, accessible, and affordable way.

• Identification of equity related gaps in the services being provided by conducting an analysis in certain selected districts
• Build capacities of partner organisations: developing and implementing pilot projects which can then be replicated at other places
• Advocating for changes in policies and programs to ensure that the underserved areas, such as North East states, are given due consideration.
• Promote use of HMIS that captures information adequate to understand gaps in equitable service delivery

Our focus area under equitable eye care is the north east region which is underserved. At present, we are working in two states in the region – Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. To achieve our objective, we focus on:

• Consultations with concerned stakeholders
• Situational analysis of the selected districts
• Designing a state action plan
• Advocacy with the government to move forward in line with the action plan

In order to eliminate the causes of avoidable blindness it is imperative to look at eye care and health in a comprehensive manner and address all pertinent issues rather than focus on just the leading cause of avoidable blindness. Comprehensive eye care comprises of three factors –

• Comprehensive eye examination, which includes a series of tests and examinations that are to be conducted for every patient in order to ensure that all possibilities of eye problems are evaluated.
• Comprehensive eye care services, involves promotion of eye health, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all relevant eye diseases and rehabilitation services to those with irreversible blindness and low vision.
• Comprehensive eye care system aims to provide comprehensive eye care examination and services to everyone in the society without discrimination by gender, age, socioeconomic status etc.

For a comprehensive eye care system, it is important to develop infrastructure – physical and human resources capacity in sub-specialities. Also, develop processes for monitoring and evaluating performances and conduct targeted operational research.

• Advocate for policy changes that require equitable distribution of eye care services in the society by identifying the underserved districts and focusing on them.
• Develop training programs, in association with medical professionals, which are aimed at developing human resources capacity in sub-specialities at all levels in the eye care sector.
• Increasing awareness on issues pertaining to eye health by leveraging the brand ambassador, organising thematic campaigns.