Bengaluru: The World Health Organization (WHO) has lauded the Karnataka Government for its pioneering “Asha Kirana” initiative — a doorstep eye care model aimed at eliminating avoidable blindness and ensuring equitable access to eye health services across the state.
In a letter addressed to Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, WHO India Representative Dr. Roderico H. Ofrin appreciated the leadership behind the successful rollout of the program. The initiative, titled “Eye Care at Your Doorstep,” aligns closely with WHO’s Integrated People-Centred Eye Care (IPEC) framework, which emphasizes accessibility, community engagement, and service delivery rooted in local health systems.
“The Asha Kirana model exemplifies how eye care can be seamlessly integrated into primary health services, particularly benefiting underserved populations,” wrote Dr. Ofrin. He further noted the phased approach the initiative adopts, focusing on early detection, prevention, and timely treatment.
Recognizing its scalability, WHO expressed keen interest in documenting the program’s impact through a comprehensive evaluation using tools such as the Eye Care Situation Analysis Tool (ECSAT) and the Eye Care Indicator Menu (ECIM). This assessment will capture the initiative’s processes, outcomes, and lessons learned — contributing to global best practices and enhancing the reach of people-centred care.
The WHO has requested the nomination of a nodal officer to coordinate further assessment and documentation efforts, which will be independently conducted by the organization.
Dr. Ofrin concluded by highlighting that this documentation will support knowledge-sharing globally and serve as a model in the pursuit of universal eye health.
