India gives $400,000 aid to Nepal for eye care programme

KATHMANDU: India today gave Nepal financial assistance of over $400,000 for organising an eyecare programme across the country.

A MoU was signed between the Indian Embassy and Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh (NNJS), a non-profit organisation, for holding Eye Care Programme in various districts of the country as part of India-Nepal Cooperation Programme of the Indian government.

India extended financial assistance "of Rs 44.16 million (over $400,000) to Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh for organising Eye Care Programme in various Districts of Nepal," an Indian Embassy statement said.

Nepal's Minister of Health and Population Ram Janam Chaudhary and India's Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae were present at the event where the MoU was signed.

Since 2001, the Indian government has provided a total grant assistance of Nepali Rs 254.16 million ($2.54 million) to NNJS for organising eye care services in the different corners of the country.

The assistance by the Indian government has facilitated in performing of more than 11,7000 cataract surgeries, 4200 TT surgeries and more than 37,200 students have benifited from the optical devices donated under School Eye Health Care Programme.

The Indian government has decided to continue its financial assistance to NNJS for Cataract and School eye care programme in future.