Retinopathy of prematurity care in peripheral districts in Odisha, India: Pilot for a sustainable model

• DOI: 10.4103/ijo.ijo_1914_19
• Publication Date: 2020-01-16T10:03:16Z
• Authors: Tapas R Padhi; Lingaraj Pradhan; Srikanta K Padhy; Ashwani Meherda; Balakrushna Saman...; Kumari K Patro; Sabita Devi; Mita Mishra; Sujit Mahapatra; Samir Sutar; Sameer R Nayak; Anup Kelgaonkar; Ashish Khalsa; Rajan Shukla; Clare Gilbert
• Keywords: Rural Population; Incidence; Infant, Newborn; India; Pilot Projects; Prognosis; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Neonatal Screening; 0302 clinical medicine; Risk Factors; Perspective; Humans; Retinopathy of Prematurity; Delivery of Health Care

The outcome of a retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) program initiated in five districts of Odisha over 3 years with partnerships between the government and non-government organizations was prospectively analyzed. The mentoring partners trained the district ophthalmologists and neonatal care providers; the program was handed over when the trainees were considered competent enough to diagnose and treat babies with ROP. During the project period (July 2016–June 2019), 3058 babies were examined; ROP was detected in 33.81% (n = 1034) and 5.06% (n = 159) babies required treatment. At the end of the project, ROP screening was possible in all five districts, and treatment was possible in three districts. ROP care nodal centers were built in one government medical college. To strengthen the initial gain, we recommend creating an Odisha Retinopathy of Prematurity (OD-ROP) steering committee with private–public partnerships to support the program and monitor its progress in other districts of Odisha.