Delhi: To enhance primary eye care services in India, the Quality & Accreditation
Institute (QAI) has launched new accreditation standards for Vision Centres (VCs). This initiative
has been supported by Orbis, a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and
treatment of avoidable blindness. Seven premier eye care institute of India were involved in the
process. The initiative aims to establish uniform quality standards and improve service delivery
outcomes at the primary level, addressing the growing public health concern of eye health.
Eye health has emerged as a critical area in public health, with the World Health Organization
(WHO) recognizing it as essential to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in its Global
Action Plan 2014-19. To meet the goals of UHC, Universal Eye Health Coverage is crucial and
can be achieved through Integrated People-Centered Eye Care (IPEC). This approach
necessitates the provision of comprehensive eye care using a health system approach at the
primary level, primarily through the establishment of Vision Centres.
Dr. Rishi Raj Borah, Country Director, India, Orbis, said, “We are optimistic for the development
of accreditation standards for Vision Centres, marking a pivotal moment in primary eye care in
India. This initiative underscores our commitment to preventing avoidable blindness and
improving the quality of eye care services across the country. By supporting the accreditation of
25 vision centers for our partner eye hospitals, we are taking a significant step toward better
eye health for all.”
Sr. BK Rana from QAI, said, “Quality & Accreditation Institute is proud to launch accreditation
standards for Vision Centres. By creation of these accreditation standards with the support of
Orbis and premier eye institution, we are ensuring that Vision Centres can deliver uniform and
high-quality eye care services at the primary level. This will undoubtedly improve service
delivery outcomes and contribute to better eye health across India.”
India's vision for eye health is ambitious yet necessary. During its 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-
2017), the country aimed to establish 5,000 vision centers to provide comprehensive primary
eye care at the community level. With a current population of 1.45 billion, India now requires
approximately 30,000 Vision Centres to meet the demand, as recommended by VISION 2020:
The Right to Sight. The diverse service and process standards across these centers have
highlighted the urgent need for standardized accreditation to ensure consistent and high-
quality care.
The newly launched standards are designed to address these challenges. They lay down criteria
and requirements to define systems, processes, and performance measurements, enabling
Vision Centres to comply with these standards. This standardization is expected to significantly
enhance the quality of services provided, ensuring uniformity and reliability across different
centers.
The formulation of these standards involved a comprehensive process, including the creation of
a Technical Experts Group, facilitated by QAI, to finalize the scope of services for VCs and the
eligibility criteria for assessors. The draft standards were reviewed by the technical group and
made available for public feedback, ensuring a broad and inclusive approach.
The launch of these accreditation standards coincides with Orbis's 25th anniversary in India,
this initiative is set to transform primary eye care services, ensuring that all Vision Centres
provide the highest quality of care to those in need.