CEAT Netranjali, a programme of RPG Group, announced the completion of an eye screening of 1,970 BEST drivers through 25 camps, across Mumbai. As part of its social initiatives, the company’s project Netranjali aims to prevent avoidable blindness through early stage intervention among the needy, the elderly, children and vulnerable communities such as truckers and drivers.
The data received from the programme has revealed some facts: About 90% of BEST bus drivers are in need for eye-care interventions. Tapping the need to diagnose and facilitate cure under the programme, the company screened close to 2,000 drivers and distributed free spectacles to 1,774 people. Further, they provided cataract referrals to 34 drivers who were identified with eye problems. They will now be treated or operated free of cost by a local hospital.
Commenting on the initiative, Anant Goenka, Managing Director, CEAT, said, “The purpose of our existence is to make mobility safer and smarter every day. The BEST drivers’ community plays a significant role in our lives and their health should be a matter of prime importance. CEAT Netranjali is one such step which will support them to diagnose and cure eye-related problems, thereby making public transport safer for Mumbaikars.”
Over the past year, eye health check-up camps under the said project reached out to about 4,00,000 underprivileged individuals. According to the company, an average of 150-200 beneficiaries were screened per camp, providing free eye screening in the camps to over a total of 70,000 individuals across schools, slum communities and trucker fleets in different cities. Under the same programme, the company also conducted eye check-ups for 4,200 truck drivers at 50 camps across Bangalore, Navi Mumbai and Noida.