NEWS – On 2 July 2025, WHO expressed interest in documenting Asha Kirana as a model for global, people‑centred eye care using tools like ECSAT & ECIM at no cost

HIGHLIGHTS

• Launched by Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on 18 February 2024, under the National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment
• Conducts door‑to‑door primary eye screening by ASHA workers and health personnel for all age groups
• Those identified with possible issues are referred to PHCs for secondary screening by ophthalmologists
• Provides free spectacles following ophthalmologist prescriptions at PHCs
• Offers free cataract surgeries at government hospitals and registered voluntary organization facilities
• Achievements to date include:
  • ~5.66 million primary screenings in phase 1 → ~0.83 million secondary screenings, 245 k spectacles dispensed, 39 k cataract ops
  • ~5.28 million primary screenings in phase 2 → ~0.94 million diagnosed, ongoing spects & surgeries

ALSO IN NEWS – Restructuring the Asha Kirana programme under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment, the Karnataka Health Department launched 393 Asha Kirana vision centres in public health facilities across the State.