WHO said the assessment will be done using its established tools, such as the Eye Care Situation Analysis Tool and the Eye Care Indicator Menu to know the processes, outcomes and lessons learnt from the Asha Kirana initiative.
Published Jul 02, 2025 | 6:44 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 02, 2025 | 6:44 PM
The Asha Kiran initiative was launched in February 2024.
Synopsis: WHO said it is interested in documenting the state model to provide valuable insights and best practices for other regions and countries striving to implement integrated, people-centred eye care.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) will conduct a comprehensive assessment of Karnataka’s Asha Kirana initiative to support the advancement of universal eye health.
In a letter sent to Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, the WHO appreciated Karnataka’s “Eye Care at Your Doorstep initiative. The letter by Dr Roderico H Ofrin, WHO representative to India, said Asha Kirana model aligned “closely with the WHO’s integrated people-centred eye care framework”.
The framework advocates the integration of eye care with primary health systems, prioritising accessibility, community engagement, and people-centric service delivery.
“Recognising the impact and scalability of the Asha Kirana initiative, WHO is keenly interested in systematically documenting the state model. Such an evaluation will not only help in further strengthening the programme, but will also provide valuable insights and best practices for other regions and countries striving to implement integrated, people-centred eye care,” Dr Ofrin wrote.
WHO said the assessment will be done using its established tools, such as the Eye Care Situation Analysis Tool and the Eye Care Indicator Menu to know the processes, outcomes and lessons learnt from the Asha Kirana initiative.
The global agency also requested the government to nominate a nodal officer for effective coordination.
Asha Kirana, an initiative by Karnataka’s Department of Health and Family Welfare launched in February 2024, provides comprehensive eye check-ups for individuals across all age groups. Free spectacles, too, are provided to the visually impaired, besides cataract surgeries.
The initiative’s objective is to reduce the prevalence of avoidable blindness. Those with eye problems are referred to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) for a secondary screening.
Karnataka has over 6.5 crore population and is one of the well-performing states with respect to eye care. The mega eye camps being held under Asha Kirana amplifies the coverage of beneficiaries, prevent early complications and thereby improve the quality of life.
