Free eye check-up camps in Jharkhand, India, brings eyecare to rural doorsteps
Giridih & Koderma, Jharkhand, India – September 2025: More than 460 villagers benefitted from two free eye check-up camps held in Bishnu Tikar village, Gawan block, Giridih and Rajabar village, Satgawan block, Koderma on 6th and 7th September 2025. The initiative was jointly organized by Abhivyakti Foundation, Rastriya Jharkhand Sewa Sansthan, and Sesa Palamu, with support from the Responsible Mica Initiative (RMI) and OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation.
The camps aimed to bring accessible eyecare services to underserved communities, ensuring that even in remote areas, villagers can access essential eye care without barriers.
Why free eye check-up camps matter in rural Jharkhand
In many rural areas of Jharkhand, healthcare facilities remain out of reach due to distance, cost, and lack of resources. Eye health is often neglected, even though poor vision directly affects education, livelihoods and quality of life.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 2.2 billion people worldwide have a vision impairment or blindness — and nearly half of these cases could have been prevented or treated.
WHO has set ambitious global goals for 2030:
- Increase effective coverage of refractive error by 40%
- Raise effective coverage of cataract surgery by 30%
By organizing this doorstep eye care service, the initiative not only reduced the burden of travel for villagers but also highlighted the importance of preventive healthcare in building stronger, healthier communities.
Key highlights of the eye check-up camps
- 220 villagers from Gawan block, Giridih received free eye testing on 6th September 2025.
- 241 villagers from Satgawan block, Koderma availed the same service on 7th September 2025.
- 97 beneficiaries in Gawan and 127 beneficiaries in Satgawan were provided free power glasses to improve their vision.
- Services were offered completely free of cost to villagers aged 30 years and above.
- The camp directly addressed the challenges of accessing timely eyecare in remote areas.
Learn more about how OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation supports eye health globally.
Community appreciation and impact
Local Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members from both villages appreciated the initiative, emphasizing how health camps save villagers’ time, money, and effort while ensuring better access to medical services.
Such initiatives are not just medical interventions — they are essential preventive measures for rural families, enabling them to work, study, and live with better vision and dignity.
For more context, see how the Responsible Mica Initiative is working to improve living conditions and access to services in rural Jharkhand communities.
A step towards healthier lives
The successful eye check-up camps in Gawan and Satgawan are a reminder that collective action between NGOs, local organizations, and foundations can make a powerful impact. Together, the partners are committed to building a future of:
Better Vision
Ensuring rural communities have access to regular eye check-ups and affordable glasses — in line with WHO’s SPECS 2030 initiative.
Healthier Communities
Promoting preventive healthcare and tackling barriers to medical access.
Looking ahead
As our partner OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation said, « The progress we have made in a few villages shows what is possible when good vision reaches the doorstep of communities in need. With the strength of cross-sector partnerships, we can take this proven model to scale – reaching hundreds more communities and ensuring that nobody is left behind because of poor vision. »
Together, we believe that empowering local communities is the key to unlocking global health transformation! We are therefore immensely grateful for the commitment and technical, operational, and financial support of Abhivyakti Foundation, Rastriya Jharkhand Sewa Sansthan, Sesa Palamu, and OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation that made these camps a success!
