Aravind Eye Hospital: A model to eliminate needless blindness

Abstract:
Started in 1977 with 11 beds, Aravind Eye Hospital has grown to become the largest eye care service provider in the world. In 2016, around 40 lakh patients were treated as outpatients and around 4 lakh surgeries were performed in AEH. Around 60% of these patients were treated free of charge or at a very steeply subsidized cost and yet, AEH is financially sustainable and is looking constantly at expanding its service activities. The scope of this non profit organization has been considerably widened by its development into manufacturing (through Aurolab), consultancy (through Lions Aravind Institute of Community Ophthalmology) and basic and clinical research activities (through the Dr.G.Venkataswamy memorial research institute) and with all these entities strive to eliminate needless blindness globally. This model is being internationally recognized as the Aravind model is now being followed in many developing countries in Asia, Africa and South America.

About the Speaker:
Dr. Venkatesh Prajna is the chief of the department of medical education and the chief of the Cornea department of Aravind Eye Hospitals. He is also the secretary of the Govel trust which runs the organization. After finishing his postgraduate career, he joined Aravind eye hospital in 1993 as a full time consultant. He has been conferred the fellowship of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, London and is also a member of the advisory board of the International Council of Ophthalmology. His special interests include ophthalmology residency education and his research interests are mainly in the field of fungal keratitis.