Dr A P J Abdul Kalam the former President of India inaugurated the mobile Diabetic screening van

Dr A P J Abdul Kalam the former President of India inaugurated the mobile Diabetic screening van of Aditya Jyot Foundation for Twinkling Little Eyes on 17th July. Dr Kalam addressed the assembled Trustees, Doctors, Optometrists & social workers of the foundation after visiting the mobile van equipped with the latest Fundus Camera & Laser machine. He encouraged the gathering to join hands to take this War against Diabetes & Diabetic Retinopathy to its logical conclusion. Dr S Natarajan, Managing Trustee gave a perspective of the problem & stated that Prevalence of diabetes in India is expected to increase from 31.4 to 79.4 million in 2030.  The disturbing fact is that majority of diabetics would be at a younger age of 45-64 years. Diabetes related blindness which was 17th in the causes of blindness has risen to the 6th position.

The mobile screening van donated by the WORLD DIABETES FOUNDATION (DENMARK) is equipped with advanced equipment for the early detection of diabetic retinopathy and for treatment to prevent advancement and vision loss. These equipment include - 

·  FUNDUS FLUROSCEIN ANGIOGRAPHY MACHINE

· LASER MACHINE (BOTH DONATED BY THE WORLD DIABETES FOUNDATION)

The van equipped with these travels to various parts and is staffed by an ophthalmologist, technician, physician and has resucutation equipment for emergency management also.

In collaboration with various partners the van takes care delivery to the door step of the under privileged. 

The CEO of the Trust Dr Radhika Krishnan informed the august assembly that In the last year alone the Aditya Jyot Foundation has 

·  25 SOCIAL WORKERS TRAINED IN VARIOUS RISK FACTORS FOR diabetes & Diabetic retinopathy.

·  48 awareness camps & 80 screening camps conducted in various locations.

·   75 GP's & ophthalmologists trained in early detection of DM & Diabetic retinopathy.

·  11400 people screened till March 2012 & 313 patients with Diabetic retinopathy identified.

·   80 free angiography & 40 free lasers performed.

·  Complicated retinal surgeries performed at Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital