Children’s Eye Care Awareness Week was observed across the L V Prasad Eye Institute network, to raise public awareness about various eye diseases in children. This year it was observed from November 7–14, 2024 with the theme 'Childhood Cataract.' An awareness walk was organized across the network on November 10, 2024. The aim was to raise awareness on childhood cataracts, their impact on children's vision, and the importance of early detection and treatment and encourage parents to seek timely medical advice.
Kode Venkatadri Chowdary Campus, Vijayawada
The art & craft competition held for school children on October 27, 2024 saw 137 participants. The competition was held in two categories with the theme “Blurred world with Paediatric Cataract”. A fruit & vegetable carving competition was organized for the staff on the same day.
The team screened 403 school children on November 6-7, 2024 and an awareness talk was organized at the Chigurupati Krishna Veni School, Poranki during the two days. Forty students participated in the elocution competition conducted on the topic paediatric cataract on November 7, 2024.
The fancy dress competition held for children with special needs on November 6, 2024 witnessed participation from 10 children. Seventy children participated in the painting, dancing and singing competition held for children with low vision & visual impairment on November 9, 2024.
An awareness programme for 122 ASHA workers & ANMs on ways to identify paediatric cataracts & few other paediatric eye diseases was organized on November 7, 2024. It was followed by a session for vision technicians (VTs) of vision centres (VCs) across the network on November 8, 2024.
Two hundred and forty people participated in the awareness walk organized on November 10. The walk was organised to create awareness on paediatric cataract. The CI of Penamaluru, Mr. Venkata Ramana was the chief guest for the walk.
The Children’s Day celebrations organised on November 11, 2024 at the KVC auditorium was attended by 100+ people including the winners of the various competitions. Prizes were distributed to the children who won in the various competitions. The topics discussed included screening of paediatric cataracts, ideal time to operate, visual rehabilitation.
Team KVC put up a great show for the children’s eye care week 2024.
MTC
Shri Nilakantha Panigrahi, Senior Principal of the Sai International School Bhubaneshwar, was the chief guest for the walk at the Mithu Tulsidas Chanrai Campus in Bhubaneshwar. About 300 children, parents and staff participated in the walk carrying placards to create awareness about childhood cataracts. He expressed his pleasure at being made a part of this important awareness event and urged parents to 'Catch Early, Act Early to ensure their children See Clearly'.
With myopia fast becoming a major public health problem globally, and to focus on myopia cases, an Infor Myopia Centre was inaugurated at the Mithu Tulsidas Chanrai Campus by Dr Tara Prasad Das, Vice-Chair Emeritus - LVPEI as part of the Children’s Eye Care Week. The inauguration was followed by a tour of the Infor Myopia Centre.
Forty-six children participated in the painting competition organized for school children on November 9, 2024.
A fun camp for blind children was organized on November 12, 2024. It was attended by 40 participants. Odia Singer Mr Prasant Padhi joined as a chief guest and encouraged the children.
The Children’s Day Celebration on November 14, 2024 included awareness talks and cultural programs, in which over 250 folks participated.
GMRV
The following activities were organized as part of the Children’s Eye Care Week at the Nimmagadda Prasad Children Eye Care Centre, GMR Varalakshmi Campus.
- Pot Painting Competition: The pot painting competition engaged 12 young vibrant patients and children of staff on November 8, 2024.
- Netra Vidhyalaya Blind school: A series of activities were organized for the 30 blind children of the school, including chess, elocution, and tactical games, on November 9, 2024.
- On November 12, 2024, fancy dress and cultural programs were organized for the 20 early intervention children and their parents who are part of the early intervention program at GMRV. The programs saw active participation from both parents and children.
- Awareness Walk: Over 250 participants, including staff and trainees, joined us for a awareness walk at RK Beach on November 10, 2024.
- Children’s Eye Care Week Celebration: A special celebration was held at the auditorium with esteemed guests Dr Radhakrishna Garu and Dr Thatham Naidu Garu sharing their valuable insights on November 14, 2024.
The GMRV team interacted with children in the play area, educating their parents about common pediatric eye diseases. The clinical staff also engaged with parents throughout the week.
Kadapa
Highlights of the Children’s Eye Care Week at the RSR Campus are as follows:
- November 3-8, 2024: A painting competition was held for children in the area. The response was wonderful with children showcasing their creativity in myriad ways.
- November 8-9, 2024: Awareness talks were held at the local schools in the area by Dr Adeline and Dr Harika. These sessions were met with overwhelming enthusiasm from the students, who actively engaged with thoughtful questions.
- November 8, 2024: A clay modelling session was organised that allowed children to get their hands dirty and express their creativity with their hands.
- November 9, 2024: A vibrant fancy dress competition, talent show, fun-filled games, and joyful participation made it a truly memorable day for both the participants and the audience.
- November 10, 2024: Awareness walk led by Dr Nagaraju K, DMHO as the Chief Guest, which received strong support from the public. Dr Sunitha, DPM, also joined in support of the event.
The program was expertly planned by Adeline, with seamless coordination and organization by Vijay, Shiva, and the team. Team RSR, a small yet energetic group, actively participated in every event.
A special highlight was the first squint surgery by Adeline on November 9, 2024. This milestone was celebrated by the entire team and was a fitting way to cap off an incredible week dedicated to children’s health and awareness.
KAR
A painting competition organized during the Children’s Eye Care Week received a wonderful response with 120 entrants.
Over 650 members of the public participated in the Children’s Eye Care Awareness Walk on November 10, 2024. Over 100 children participated in the walk. Indian music composer Thaman. S and Telugu Film Actor, Vishva Karthikeya were the chief guests for the walk.
The highlight of the Children’s Eye Care Week was the Children's Day Celebrations on November 14, 2024. With over 250 participants, most of them children the Patodia auditorium, the venue for the event was bursting at the seams! Telugu Film Actor, Vishva Karthikeya was the chief guest.
The children were thoroughly entertained by ventriloquist Jai and the magic show by Harish. It was a sight to watch the children rolling out of their chairs in laughter. The week-long celebrations saw 60 children try their hands at pot making on a potter’s wheel, with guidance of the potter in residence! The fancy-dress competition had 13 children of LVPEIan’s participate.
Paediatric cataract was the theme of the weeklong celebrations and the walk created awareness on acting early to.
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