It was formally inaugurated by Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu
Bajaj Group and L V Prasad Eye Institute partner to launch Anant Bajaj Retina Institute. It was virtually inaugurated by Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu on 18 May, 2022.
The Vice President emphasised the need to increase awareness among the people about the importance of eye health and called for media campaigns in local languages involving celebrities and icons from different fields.
Virtually inaugurating the Anant Bajaj Retina Institute, he also stressed the need to devise a multi-pronged strategy for strengthening preventive and curative eye care across the country, particularly in rural areas. The Institute—a Centre of Excellence for Retinal Diseases, is the outcome of collaboration between L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) and the Bajaj Group.
Recognising that there exists a huge scope to curtail preventable blindness in rural India, Naidu called for equipping the primary health centres in villages with primary eye care facilities.
The Vice President also urged private hospitals to complement the government efforts by opening satellite centres of their facilities in rural areas. “Corporate organisations should prioritise their CSR funds on causes such as these and support hospitals in opening eye-care and screening camps in villages,” he added.
Terming community awareness critical in a rural setting, he called for regular awareness programmes at a community level by healthcare institutions and NGOs.
Observing that modern lifestyles and work requirements have increased our average screen time, the Vice President expressed a strong need to regulate the use of electronic gadgets, particularly among children, who run a higher risk of technology addiction. He also highlighted the importance of giving sufficient rest to one’s eyes and taking a healthy diet.