Mobile App-Based Eye Testing to Be Introduced in Maadi Municipality Health Centers

Chitwan. Eye testing will now be conducted using a 'mobile app' at health institutions located in Maadi Municipality. Bharatpur Eye Hospital, in coordination with the Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh Central, is preparing to conduct eye examinations at 10 health centers in Maadi Municipality. Eye testing will be performed using a Portable Eye Examination Kit (PEEK Apps).

This technology is being implemented after its successful use in coordination with local levels by Biratnagar Eye Hospital and Sagarmatha Chaudhary Eye Hospital, both operated by the Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh. According to Ramesh Ghimire, Information Officer at Bharatpur Eye Hospital, this technology is being adopted here following its successful implementation at Biratnagar Eye Hospital and Sagarmatha Chaudhary Eye Hospital.

In collaboration with the municipality, training will be provided to local technicians on the 23rd and 24th of this Chaitra month. Two individuals from each health center and three from the Metropolitan Health Department will receive training at Bharatpur Eye Hospital.

Ghimire stated that eye testing will be conducted via a 'mobile app' developed by Kenya. Health centers will be provided with mobile phones equipped with the app. Testing will be done using a flashlight and the mobile phone for patients coming for other treatments at the center.

The app will send notifications regarding the patient's eye condition to the concerned patient, the local health center, and the mobile phone of Bharatpur Eye Hospital. Based on this information, they will determine whether the patient requires further treatment or not based on the condition of their eyes. If further treatment is needed, the location to visit will be informed via SMS. The technician will provide suggestions after reviewing the SMS.

Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh Chitwan operates Bharatpur Eye Hospital. According to Jayaram Shrestha, Chairman of the Sangh, this program will initially commence in Maadi. Subsequently, in collaboration with Kalika Municipality, eye testing for school students will be conducted using the same app.

Following that, there is a program to conduct door-to-door eye testing in Baudikali Rural Municipality of Nawalparasi Bardaghat-Sustapurva. He mentioned that this type of eye testing will ensure that common citizens receive eye treatment in a timely manner. He stated that since the practice is to seek treatment only when eye problems arise, this initiative will help in identifying eye patients. Early detection of patients leads to better treatment, lower costs, and reduced risk, he added.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of the 48th Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh Day today, fruits were distributed to patients who underwent surgery at Bharatpur Eye Hospital in the morning. Eye check-ups are being conducted at the Bharatpur Prison Office in the afternoon.

The Eye Hospital operates 20 eye treatment centers, two surgical centers, two secondary hospitals, and one city clinic across nine districts. Additionally, it conducts camps in five surrounding districts. Annually, it provides outpatient services to around three lakh people and performs surgery on more than 12,000 individuals.