Celebrating 25 years of GPRICARE: Transforming Rural Eye Health Landscape
Published 30th December 2023
The Gullapalli Pratibha Rao International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eye care (GPRICARE) celebrated 25 years of its journey on December 17, 2023. The centre, established to address eye health challenges at the rural and community levels, has significantly impacted millions of lives through a network of 22 secondary and 259 vision centres. We are grateful to Christian Blind Mission of Germany and Sightsavers International, UK, for their generous support and our supporters, patrons, and staff for their continuous support.
Some of the highlights of its impact on rural and community-level eye health landscape are:
– Examined 4.5 million out-patients; approx. 40% nonpaying
– Performed 0.5 million surgeries; approx. 60% nonpaying
– Screened 5 million patients at the vision centre level; 100% nonpaying
– Screened 10 million through community-based programs
– Trained over 1000 public health professionals
– Supported 250 hospitals through capacity-building initiatives both nationally and internationally
– Published 400 papers in various peer-reviewed journals
– Worked with state and national governments, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) on the advocacy front and influenced significant state, national, and international policies.
– With the advancement of technology and innovation, the roadmap for rural eye health has become more robust, accessible, affordable, dynamic, and patient-friendly.
All these efforts have not only reduced the prevalence of blindness and visual impairment but have also impacted policies and positively changed millions of lives in the community. All this would not have been possible without the support of all our staff, donors, patrons, partners and stakeholders, who share our values and commitment.
On this occasion, the GPRICARE team and senior leadership came together to reflect on and share the joyous moments of this collective journey, charged with positive energy and camaraderie. Pictures are from the celebration held on December 17, 2023.
