GG 2573749 Rotary Club of Belgaum - Diabetic Retinopathy Services

Description

The project aims to prevent blindness due to Diabetic Retinopathy (here on referred to as DR) in the underprivileged rural population around Belgaum City and District. DR is a leading cause of global blindness, resulting from uncontrolled or prolonged Diabetes. High blood sugars damage the retinal blood vessels, causing swelling, leaks, blurry vision, and potentially irreversible blindness in both eyes. Diabetes affects individuals across different economic backgrounds. The poor and underprivileged are also affected. The goal of the project is to detect diabetic retinopathy (DR) early and provide timely treatment to underprivileged diabetic individuals, thus preventing blindness. Many patients lack preventive care due to limited awareness, accessibility, and financial resources. The project will educate the rural population about diabetes-related blindness, emphasizing its preventable nature. It aims to assist financially challenged patients with free early detection of DR and proper guidance towards its treatment. Belgaum district in Karnataka, India, has over 1,000 villages and covers 13,415 square kilometers with a population of about 4.8 million. Most villages lack basic medical services. India, home to around 77 million people with diabetes, is expected to see this number rise to 125 million by 2045. A 2019 National Survey found the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in India to be 11.8%, while among diabetics it was 16.9%. A 2022 study in The Lancet - Global Health Journal reported an increase in prevalence in DR to 23% in individuals with known diabetes. The study emphasizes the significant burden of diabetes and DR in India, highlighting the need for a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to reduce prevalence. Early identification and routine screening for DR, along with accessible treatment facilities, are essential. The ninth edition of the Diabetes Atlas by the International Diabetes Federation (2019) estimates 463 million people worldwide have diabetes, projected to reach 700 million by 2045, with developing countries seeing a disproportionate increase. This will heavily strain healthcare systems. The issue of Diabetic Retinopathy, with its potential to cause blindness, was identified by members of the Rotary Club of Belgaum during their community service activities in rural areas. Community leaders, primary healthcare workers, and some members of the Rotary Club of Belgaum District 3170 convened and determined that establishing eye clinics equipped with necessary infrastructure, equipment, and trained ophthalmologists, optometrists, and other personnel in various villages is often impractical. Consequently, they conceived the idea of a 'Mobile Eye Clinic' equipped with essential diagnostic machines and staffed by qualified personnel who would travel to remote villages for the screening of Diabetic Retinopathy, as a more logical and feasible solution. To ensure the feasibility and sustainability of this project, club members and community health workers decided to collaborate with a Non-Government Organization (NGO) proficient in rural eye examinations and outreach activities and DR awareness creation. This NGO would also be capable of providing the trained personnel required to diagnose Diabetic Retinopathy. The Rotary Club of Belgaum would provide the Mobile Eye Clinic, furnished with the necessary diagnostic equipment for early detection of Diabetic Retinopathy and thus help in prevention of blindness. Additionally, awareness campaigns will be conducted to educate the rural population about diabetes, its complications, and the importance of regular eye check-ups By bridging the gap between urban and rural healthcare, this initiative not only addresses the immediate needs of those affected by DR but also contributes to the long-term health and well-being of the community. The Rotary-Belgaum Diabetic Retinopathy Services project exemplifies how targeted interventions and strategic collaboration can make a tangible difference in the lives of underserved populations.

Project Status

Funding Type

Rotary Global Grant Funded

Club Information

rotaryclubofbiratnagardowntown@gmail.com