JKH Vision Project extended to cover 2,000 cataract operations

The ability to see the world through one’s eyes is one of the most amazing experiences that the sighted population often takes for granted. Yet, the impact of being able to see for those who have lost their vision due to various reasons is immeasurable. They are able to contribute to the well-being of their families and become fulfilled members of society once more.

Keeping this in mind, the John Keells Social Responsibility Foundation (the CSR arm of the John Keells Group) announced the extension of their successful ‘John Keells Vision Project’ into the years 2007/08. The project, which will look to complete an aggregate of 2,000 cataract operations, will also feature eye camps in remote locations around the country.

The John Keells Vision Project is primarily an island-wide cataract operation project aligned with the World Health Organisation’s “Vision 2020” Project and launched for the benefit of deserving, disadvantaged or needy persons across Sri Lanka. Originally launched as `John Keells Vision 1000’ in 2004/05, the initial target was to restore the eyesight of 1,000 needy cataract patients throughout Sri Lanka. With 1,590 cataract operations completed to date, the Vision Project will look to expand in the coming year as it operates under the revised name, `John Keells Vision 2000’, reflecting the number of operations it aims to complete by the end of 2008.

Speaking about the John Keells Vision 2000 Project, Carmeline Jayasuriya, Manager, John Keells Social Responsibility Foundation said, “Cataract is one of the primary causes of blindness in the country, but 95% of patients can be cured through surgery. Most cataract patients have the potential to be productive, but risk reduced employability because financial constraints force many to give in to the progressive blindness which the cataract brings about.”

“By sponsoring their operations, we want to empower cataract patients in disadvantaged circumstances to become productive citizens again through access to timely healthcare and thereby, benefit not only the individual patient, but his/her family as well as society at large”, she added.

The John Keells Vision Project is carried out in line with the World Health Organisation’s “Vision 2020” Project. The WHO project aims to eliminate avoidable blindness worldwide by the year 2020, in order to give everyone in the world, and particularly those who are needlessly blind, the Right to Sight.

The John Keells Vision Project has been executed primarily via Base Hospitals in various provinces. In 2005/06, a sub-project was introduced to provide needy children, who are screened at the John Keells eye camps, with spectacles.

The Vision Project was initiated in 2004 under the John Keells Holdings’ CSR banner and continued by the John Keells Social Responsibility Foundation with the aim of completing 1,000 cataract operations. After the 1,000 target was surpassed, the project is now looking to complete 2,000 operations by the end of 2008. In 2004/05, 447 eye surgeries were completed at the Avissawella, Galle, Kegalle, Hambantota and Matale Base Hospitals.

In 2005/06, eye camps were held in Avissawella, Kantale, Hambantota, Dambulla, Habarana, Horana, Karawita, Mahiyanganaya, Matale, Maraka, Sigiriya and Wasgamuwa. 641 cataract operations were completed by 31 March 2006. In addition to this, 50 cataract lenses were also donated to the Batticaloa Base Hospital. Moreover, 40 spectacles were donated to needy children who were screened at some of the eye camps.
The Project team is ably supported by volunteers from the staff of the John Keells Group, many of whom have shared inspirational human experiences after serving at eye camps held in remote parts of the country.