HT Correspondent
DOIMUKH, Oct 9: A state-wide free eye screening programme for schoolchildren from Class I to X was launched on Thursday by Health & Family Welfare Minister’s Advisor and Tezu MLA, Dr Mohesh Chai, at BK Mission School, Midpu, Doimukh.
The initiative aims to ensure early detection and correction of vision problems among students of government schools across Arunachal Pradesh.
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The event was attended by Doimukh MLA and state PPA President Nabam Vivek, officials from the Health & Family Welfare Department, School Management Committee members, teaching staff, students, and local residents.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Chai emphasized the importance of eye care, saying that eyes are among the most precious organs of the body.
He urged students, teachers, and parents to take proactive measures to protect eyesight and prevent infections.
“We should love our eyes. Even simple precautions can prevent loss of vision. Parents and teachers should share awareness about protecting eyes with students,” he said.
Dr Chai informed that the initiative is being implemented in partnership with Broad Arks, an NGO based in Hyderabad, which has previously conducted similar screenings in Goa.
Under a recent MoU with the Arunachal Pradesh government, the NGO will screen students from Class I to X across the state.
It is estimated that around 3.2 lakh students will benefit from the programme, and approximately 50,000 pairs of spectacles are expected to be distributed to children with refractive errors.
Highlighting the logistical challenges posed by the state’s topography and weather, Dr Chai said it may take around one and a half years to cover all districts, blocks, and circles.
He appealed to School Management Committees and parents to ensure that students avail of the programme when it reaches their schools.
He also advised students to minimize mobile phone usage and limit screen time to educational purposes to prevent screen-related eye strain.
During the event, local MLA and state PPA President Nabam Vivek lauded the team led by Dr Taba Khana and urged all stakeholders to support the NGO’s efforts in combating preventable blindness in the state. NHM Mission Director Marge Sora, State Programme Officer of NPCBVI, Arunachal Pradesh, and Founder of Broad Arks Foundation, Pankaj Dutta, addressed the gathering, highlighting the benefits of eye care and practical ways to maintain healthy eyesight.
The programme also featured cultural performances by students, including an enactment emphasizing the importance of vision and measures to protect eyesight, as part of the World Sight Day celebrations.
The initiative underscores the state government’s commitment to improving eye health and awareness among young students, ensuring a healthier future generation in Arunachal Pradesh.
