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Health action with informed and engaged societies
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After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Opthalmic Care: Widening Horizons - HelpAge India

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A programme which identifies elderly people who need cataract operations with the help of the community and offers free operations to restore their sight.
Communication Strategies
HelpAge India increases social awareness regarding the plight of the elderly by approaching the business segment to raise funds for projects such as the Ophthalmic Care programme and by conducting school education programmes.
Development Issues
Ageing, Health, Rights
Key Points
The Ophthalmic Care programme focuses on improving health and eye care for the elderly, which in turn improves their quality of life. Of the 12 million visually impaired in India, 85% of them required a small cataract operation. The majority of the ageing population cannot affort this minor surgery. HelpAge India has conducted lakhs of free cataract operations for needy elderly persons. Ms Gsose, a spokesperson for HelpAge India states: "A cataract operation with lens transplant costs as little as Rs 600 per patient but it gives the elderly person a new lease on life. In the 1999 - 2000, about 1,000 such operations were done in Howrah itself". Four per cent of the cataract surgery done in India in 1999 was done by HelpAge India.
Partners

Mr Cecil Jackson Cole, founder member of Help the Aged in the United Kingdom; HelpAge International, The UN

Sources

HelpAge India; Working Nationwide for the Cause and Care of the Elderly - Programmes

Website