National consultation on Retinopathy of Prematurity: Leaders unite to combat childhood blindness
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V. Desai Eye Hospital, Pune.
The consultation witnessed active participation from members of the Indian ROP Society, the National Neonatology Forum (NNF), the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP), government officials, CSR leaders, non-profit organizations, and prominent figures including Prof. Dr. Rajvardhan Azad, President of the Indian ROP Society.
The event was co-hosted under the aegis of Sight4All by Cognizant Foundation, Mission for Vision, and PBMA's H.
V. Desai Eye Hospital, bringing together a distinguished panel of experts and stakeholders from across the country.
The consultation served as a catalyst for several critical national-level outcomes aimed at strengthening ROP prevention and care in India:
Consensus on revised national ROP guidelines integrated into child health policies.
Strengthened multisectoral collaboration between neonatal units, eye care providers, and public health institutions.
Proposal to reinforce the National ROP Task Force with broader stakeholder representation.
Endorsement of a public awareness campaign to inform parents and caregivers.
Mobilisation of CSR and private sector support for infrastructure and telemedicine.
Formation of a Technical Working Group to drive policy and advocacy based on recommendations.
ROP is a rapidly growing public health challenge in India, emerging as one of the leading causes of avoidable blindness in children. Affecting preterm infants, particularly those born before 34 weeks of gestation or weighing under 2,000 grams, ROP is preventable and treatable yet continues to cause irreversible vision loss due to gaps in timely detection and intervention.
With nearly 3.5 million preterm births each year, India faces a critical public health challenge that demands a coordinated and strategic, national response. The National Consultation was convened to catalyse collective action through strengthened collaboration, policy alignment, and enhanced public and institutional awareness.
'Cognizant Foundation is committed to driving change where it matters the most.
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Under our flagship Sight4All programme, we have been working to strengthen early detection and treatment systems for vulnerable newborns at risk of vision loss. The national consultation on ROP is a critical platform that brings together experts, policymakers, and partners to align efforts, share insights, and shape a coordinated national response.
We are proud to spearhead this movement to safeguard the vision of India's future generation.'
said Mr. Deepak Prabhu Matti, Chief Executive Officer, Cognizant Foundation.
Since 2020, the collaborative efforts of Cognizant Foundation, Mission for Vision, and HV Desai Eye Hospital have been instrumental in transforming lives through early Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) screening and treatment. This partnership has successfully enabled early ROP screening for over 3,200 neonates and provided over 500 treatments at no cost to babies from economically weaker sections in various districts of Maharashtra, including Pune, Satara, Jalgaon, and Buldhana.
'Our mission is to enable quality eye health for all, especially for the most vulnerable. Preventing blindness due to Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a critical step toward that goal, as it ensures that children born too soon are not denied a lifetime of sight. This national consultation is a milestone in bringing together key stakeholders from across sectors including healthcare providers, policymakers, civil society and development partners to strengthen the linkages between neonatal care and eye health systems.
Together, we are taking meaningful strides to protect and preserve the sight of our nation's newborns,' said Sabitra Kundu, Chief Operating Officer, Mission for Vision.
'The time to act is now. With the growing survival of pre-term infants, it is essential that our health systems evolve to meet new challenges like ROP. This consultation brings us closer to a future where no child in India suffers blindness due to lack of awareness or access,' emphasized Parvez Billimoria, Executive Director, PBMA's H. V. Desai Eye Hospital
By fostering expert dialogue and actionable strategies, the National Consultation aims to lay the groundwork for a coordinated, nationwide approach to eliminate avoidable childhood blindness from ROP.
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