WHO Commends Karnataka's Asha Kirana Eye Care Model
WHO Applauds Karnataka’s ‘Asha Kirana’
Bengaluru: The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed strong interest in the state’s ‘Asha Kirana’ initiative, which provides doorstep eye care services across communities. WHO plans to assess and document the programme as a model for other countries aiming to implement people-centric, equitable eye care systems.
In a letter to Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, WHO Representative to India, Dr Roderico H Ofrin, appreciated the state government for conceptualising and effectively implementing the 'Asha Kirana' initiative, reports PTI.
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"This innovative model, launched under your leadership, marks significant progress towards eliminating avoidable blindness and ensuring equitable access to comprehensive eye care across the state. We are particularly encouraged by how 'Asha Kirana' aligns with the WHO's Integrated People-Centred Eye Care (IPEC) framework," Ofrin wrote in the letter dated June 30.
Recognising the initiative's scalability and impact, WHO has proposed a comprehensive assessment using its global health tools—Eye Care Situation Analysis Tool (ECSAT) and Eye Care Indicator Menu (ECIM). This analysis aims to document the processes, outcomes, and best practices emerging from ‘Asha Kirana’ and share them with regions worldwide.
Ofrin noted that such an evaluation would not only strengthen the programme but also offer valuable lessons and best practices for other regions and countries.
"This documentation will be conducted independently by WHO at no cost to the state exchequer. It will contribute to global knowledge-sharing and support universal eye health", he added.
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Taking to the social media platform 'X', Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said Karnataka is setting new benchmarks in public health with the WHO recognising 'Asha Kirana'.
He said that the validation reinforced their commitment to equitable, accessible, and community-driven healthcare, and that the WHO would document the model using global tools such as ECSAT and ECIM to share processes, outcomes, and lessons globally.
