Citizens of Gadchiroli to Benefit from Eye Care Services Under ‘SPECS 2030’ Initiative – CM Devendra Fadnavis

A joint initiative of the Public Health Department and the World Health Organization

Mumbai, Sept 2025 : Special focus is being placed on raising awareness about eye health and ensuring affordable, quality eye care services in tribal and backward districts like Gadchiroli. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that through the ‘SPECS 2030’ project of the State Public Health Department and the World Health Organization (WHO), positive changes will be seen in children’s education, youth employment, and the overall standard of living of society.

CM Fadnavis urged that this WHO-led initiative be implemented in Gadchiroli district. With this program, Aheri taluka of Gadchiroli is set to become a national model for eye healthcare services. The WHO’s ‘SPECS 2030 – One Sight Programme’, in collaboration with the State Health Department and the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, will be implemented in Gadchiroli and four other underdeveloped districts across India. This initiative will be carried out under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI).

Globally, 2.2 billion people suffer from vision problems, and at least 1 billion of these cases are preventable. In India, nearly 53% of vision impairment is due to uncorrected refractive errors. Among school children, one in ten faces vision-related issues. Against this backdrop, WHO launched the ‘SPECS 2030’ initiative, with the goal of providing affordable, high-quality eyeglasses to everyone by 2030.

The program will be implemented using the “Asha Kiran Model” in selected regions of Gadchiroli (Maharashtra), Dhubri (Assam), Kalahandi (Odisha), Alwar (Rajasthan), and Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh). Under this model, eye health services will be delivered at every stage – from primary eye check-ups at the household level by ASHA workers, to refraction tests and eyeglass distribution at Primary Health Centres, and cataract surgeries at government hospitals.

As part of the program, multiple initiatives will be undertaken including:

• Training and capacity building of local health workers
• Awareness campaigns within communities
• Health dialogues at schools and Gram Panchayat levels
• Promotion through local NGOs and media
• Data collection and analysis to measure efficiency and effectiveness