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Retinopathy of prematurity: Maharashtra state model
Sucheta Kulkarni1, Sandeep Kadam2, Archana Patil3
1Department of Retina, H. V. Desai Eye Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India, Maharashtra.
Insights
A retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) program was established in Maharashtra, training healthcare teams and improving infrastructure. This initiative aims to ensure universal ROP screening coverage across the state.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Lack of sustainable ROP programs in public health facilities hinders timely screening and treatment.
- The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust funded a program to address ROP in Maharashtra.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a sustainable retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) program in public health facilities in five districts of Maharashtra.
- To train ophthalmology and neonatology teams in ROP screening, treatment, and prevention.
- To develop infrastructure and raise awareness for ROP management.
Main Methods:
- Training of ophthalmologists and neonatology teams from district hospitals and a medical college.
- Procurement of equipment for ROP screening and treatment.
- Development of a dedicated ROP treatment center in Pune district.
- Awareness generation activities for stakeholders.
Main Results:
- Six new facilities established ROP programs by the end of the project.
- Eight ophthalmologists trained in ROP screening.
- Five neonatology teams trained in ROP prevention and neonatal care practices.
- Pune district hospital developed as an ROP treatment center.
Conclusions:
- The established ROP program in Maharashtra has successfully initiated services in multiple facilities.
- The state health department is planning to scale up the program for universal ROP screening coverage.
- The project demonstrates a successful model for establishing sustainable ROP programs in public health settings.
Abstract:
This report describes the goal, activities, and outcomes of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust funded retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) program in the state of Maharashtra in collaboration with the Public Health Foundation of India, Hyderabad. The project was initiated in July 2016 with the goal of establishing a sustainable ROP program in the special newborn care units (SNCUs) in public health facilities of five districts. Between 2016 and 2018, ophthalmology and neonatology teams from five district hospitals (DHs) were trained by nongovernment partner hospitals in the state. Infrastructure was developed by procuring equipment for ROP screening/treatment, and awareness generation activities were conducted with a range of stakeholders. Eight ophthalmologists were trained to perform ROP screening (from five DHs and one medical college), and five neonatology teams (pediatricians and nurses) from the project hospitals were trained in best neonatal practices to prevent ROP. The Pune district's hospital was developed as an ROP treatment center. Toward the end of the project period, six new facilities had an established ROP program. The state health department is in the process of scaling up the ROP program to a larger geographic region to ensure universal ROP screening coverage in the state of Maharashtra.
