This is an Avoidable Blindness Project.
India has the second highest percentage of blind people, after Africa in the world. D3140 i.e Mumbai, located in the NW of Mumbai is densely populated containing some 10m inhabitants. it is a city of stark contrasts-some of the richest people live here, at the same time, it is inhabitated by some of the poorest people, who have to struggle for two sqaure meals. In 2004 the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai conducted a baseline survey covering 12,479 households in the tribal blocks of Thane district: It found that 28.4% of the population had a vision disability. Without early intervention, it is estimated that some 27,000 persons will go blind in the District each year.
The project looks to fund 1000 cataract surgeries. The Host club of Mumbai Borivali East has already carried out two matching grant projects for treating avoidable blindness. It has already organised and sponsored free cataract, with IOL surgeries for some 650 people in the two matching grants.
In summary, the project will:
Train & engage representatives of local communities in eye screening proces. It is anticipated that at least 5,000 people, mainly children will be screened during the initial life of the project.
Fund some 1000 cataract & IOL surgeries, free of charge to recipients.
The total cost of the project is US$28,000.
Timescales: Subject to approval of the project, both Host and International partners will plan and monitor completion of the whole within 12 months of commencement. | 
