Sightsavers India invites applications for India Fellowship Program 2020

After witnessing a significant success in the first year and grooming three bright and competent young ophthalmologists, Sightsavers India has opened application for Sightsavers India Fellowship Program 2020. This fellowship is designed to enhance awareness about eye care and aims to groom the young ophthalmologists through an innovative course of mentoring and surgical exposure to expand their perspectives on rural eye health and to shape the youth into promising and skilled ophthalmologists. The fellowship is designed in a way that gives an opportunity to master the craft as a clinician and a surgeon.

Sightsavers India Fellowship Program 2020 is a promising career opportunity for ophthalmologists. It aims to take five selected fellows through journey of 24 months. The selected fellows will be placed in one of the seven states – Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.

Over a period of 24 months, the fellows will experience a structured skill enhancement and mentoring process covering not only clinical and surgical ophthalmology, but also managerial and holistic life skills. The process involves skills upgradation components and personal interactions with eminent leaders in eye care and development sector. Every stage of the fellowship programme will optimise learning that will help the fellows transform into all-rounder seasoned professionals. Selected fellows will receive an attractive appreciative stipend through the fellowship period.

Speaking on the launch of the second season of the India Fellowship Program, RN Mohanty, CEO, Sightsavers India, said, “The programme’s vision is to cultivate a capable and motivated workforce in the eye care field for rural India. Currently, there are nearly 18,000 ophthalmologists present in the country, which is nowhere near enough with respect to the ratio of the population in India. With this programme, we hope to bring about a positive substantial impact on society. An education in ophthalmology with the mettle of being a team player and attributes of empathy and zeal to explore rural India are important for the fellows to be a successful part of the programme. The initiative witnessed success in its first year and gave us the opportunity to groom three bright and competent young ophthalmologists. I’m looking forward to a new batch of five promising ophthalmologists this year.”

Dr Anoop Kumar Singh, MES — Medical College, Kerala, being trained at SNC, Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh, said, “The programme is providing surgical as well as clinical training with excellent mentorship and guidance which would have needed more time investment outside the fellowship. My weekly schedule is packed with surgical training, clinical postings, OT observations, wet labs and lecture classes along with routine departmental presentations and CMEs. Also, the support from Sightsavers team is incomparable and rare to find.”

Dr Vanlal Muanpuii Ralte, RIMS, Ranchi, currently being trained at VMA, West Bengal, shared, “This programme has definitely raised the bar and standard for me. I hope that in future, I get to contribute my skills to achieve universal eye care. Thank you Sightsavers for giving me this opportunity and for always having my back! Will forever be grateful.”

The last date of application for the fellowship programme is 30th April, 2020, and it will begin from June 2020. To apply, one can go to https://indiafellowshipprogram.sightsaversindia.in/ or call +91 9818157997.