Project Nayanraj, launched in 2006, is a 3-year partnership between J Watumull Global Hospital & Research Centre and Orbis International Inc. aimed at improving the paediatric ophthalmology infrastructure and outreach activities in districts Jalore, Pali, Sirohi and Udaipur in Rajasthan and district Banaskantha in Gujarat.

At the outset of the project, Orbis International Inc. sponsored the acquisition of essential paediatric ophthalmology equipment thus commissioning a fully-equipped paediatric eye care department at the P C Parmar Foundation Global Hospital Eye Care Centre, an extension wing of our sister concern the Global Hospital Institute of Ophthalmology at Abu Road. It is also assisting in training staff in paediatric ophthalmology.

Our ophthalmic staff implementing this project has a target of screening 80,000 school and pre-verbal children for ocular diseases, especially focusing on childhood ailments like amblyopia which need early detection. Children having refractive errors are being given free spectacles. Both sight restorative surgery such as congenital cataract and trauma, as well as non-sight restorative surgeries like squint and ptosis are conducted.

Besides, 1000 school teachers and 54 ophthalmologists/ paediatricians/ general practitioners are being trained in screening techniques so as to diagnose and manage paediatric ocular health problems at a primary level. Most importantly, 10,000 mothers and guardians are being educated about methods to prevent the occurrence of ocular diseases in children.