WHO to document Karnataka's eye-care model
In a letter dated June 30 to the principal secretary (health) Harsh Gupta, WHO's India representative Dr Roderico H Ofrin commended the state govt for conceptualising and implementing the programme "in an exemplary manner".
"The Asha Kirana initiative embodies IPEC principles by integrating eye care into primary health services and the wider public health system," Dr Ofrin stated. He said WHO proposes to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the model using its established tools — Eye Care Situation Analysis Tool (ECSAT) and Eye Care Indicator Menu (ECIM) — to document the processes, outcomes and lessons from the initiative. The documentation will be carried out independently by WHO at no cost to the state.
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