26 August 2026, Nawada, Bihar: Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK), in collaboration with Sightsavers India and with support from Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company, has launched the four-year Netra Vasant Programme on 21 August in Nawada district with the objective of strengthening eye health services and contributing to the prevention of avoidable blindness.
The programme was formally inaugurated by Civil Surgeon Dr. Vinod Kumar Choudhary, ACMO Dr. Aftab Kaleem, District Immunization Officer Dr. Yogendra Prasad and other distinguished guests. Speaking on the occasion, Civil Surgeon Dr. Choudhary appreciated the initiative and said that the programme would help increase awareness about eye health at the community level while enabling people in need to access appropriate eye care and treatment.
During its first phase, the Netra Vasant Programme will be implemented in Narhat, Meskaur, Sirdala and Hisua blocks of Nawada district. Systematic outreach screening camps will be organized in villages across these blocks to identify people with eye problems and connect them with eye examination, treatment and necessary referral services.
The programme will focus on early identification and timely treatment of eye conditions, thereby helping reduce avoidable blindness and improve access to quality eye care among underserved communities. Loknayak Jayaprakash Eye Hospital, Kajha (Wazirganj, Gaya), operated by NBJK, will play a key role in providing treatment and referral support. The hospital is conveniently accessible to people from Gaya, Jehanabad and Nawada districts.
The launch programme was attended by Dr. Jitendra Kumar, Senior Programme Officer, Sightsavers India; Saurabh Raj, Manager, LNJP Eye Hospital; District Programme Officer Santosh Kumar, along with several other dignitaries and representatives.
The Netra Vasant Programme marks an important step towards bringing comprehensive eye health services closer to rural communities and ensuring that people receive timely care to protect and preserve their vision.
About the author : Anand Abhinav
