WHO Recognizes Karnataka’s ‘Asha Kirana’ as a Model for Global Eye Care

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recognized Karnataka’s ‘Asha Kirana’ initiative as a model for global eye care, highlighting its innovative approach to delivering doorstep eye care services and its alignment with the WHO’s Integrated People-Centred Eye Care (IPEC) framework.

In a letter addressed to Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Roderico H Ofrin, WHO Representative to India, praised the state government for conceptualizing and effectively implementing the ‘Asha Kirana’ programme. Dr. Ofrin noted that the initiative marks significant progress toward eliminating avoidable blindness and ensuring equitable access to comprehensive eye care across Karnataka.

The WHO plans to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the programme using its established tools, such as the Eye Care Situation Analysis Tool (ECSAT) and the Eye Care Indicator Menu (ECIM). This evaluation aims to document the processes, outcomes, and lessons from ‘Asha Kirana’, with the intention of sharing best practices and insights with other regions and countries seeking to implement similar people-centered eye care models.

Importantly, the WHO has stated that this documentation will be conducted independently and at no cost to the state exchequer, contributing to global knowledge-sharing and supporting universal eye health. The organization has requested the nomination of a nodal officer to coordinate the assessment process.

Karnataka’s Health Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, expressed pride in the recognition, stating on social media that the WHO’s validation reinforces the state’s commitment to equitable, accessible, and community-driven healthcare. He emphasized that Karnataka is setting new benchmarks in public health with the success of ‘Asha Kirana’.

Launched under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment, ‘Asha Kirana’ provides comprehensive eye checkups for individuals of all age groups at their homes, free spectacles, and cataract surgeries for identified beneficiaries. The programme, already implemented in multiple districts, aims to reduce the prevalence of avoidable blindness by leveraging the efforts of health personnel and ASHA workers to conduct primary eye checkups and facilitate further treatment when needed.

Disclaimer: This article is based on information available as of July 3, 2025, from public statements and official communications regarding the WHO’s recognition of Karnataka’s ‘Asha Kirana’ initiative. The WHO’s assessment and documentation process is ongoing, and further details or outcomes may be released in the future.