Aravind Eye Hospital: Developing rural women become experts in the field of eye care

Like many comparable establishments, Aravind Eye Hospital was founded over forty years ago with the goal of offering premium, reasonably priced eye treatment. But over time, it evolved into a crusade to save rural women who were exploited and impoverished.

Together with her husband, Dr. P Namperumalsamy (Dr. P Nam), Dr. G Nachiar, one of the hospital’s original founders, launched the two-year Mid Level Ophthalmic Personnel (MLOP) program to provide free eye care training to rural women.

Equipped with scholarly understanding and practical proficiency, these ladies proceeded to work as assistants in ophthalmology at several Aravind Eye hospitals around the state.

Dr. Venkataswamy established Aravind Eye Hospital in 1976 as an 11-bed institution out of a leased home. Since then, the hospital has expanded to accept 770 patients for free and 320 patients who pay. The National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers has granted it entry-level accreditation, and it has also grown over time to become a recognized educational institution.

The hospital’s Director Emeritus, Dr. G Nachiar, is the sister of Dr. Venkataswamy. She was the driving force behind the MLOP program, which improved the lives of thousands of rural women.

When her brother established the hospital, Dr. G. Nachiar had just finished her MS in ophthalmology and was employed by the government. She began helping at the hospital after work, along with Dr. P Nam. They organized medical camps to increase awareness, and they were a huge success, drawing in more patients.

On the recommendation of her brother, Dr. Nachiar soon began working there full-time.

She revealed the origins of the paramedical program by saying, “In my home country, women were compelled to work in the matchbox and fireworks industries.” We launched the MLOP program with the promise of work in order to empower them. We provided rural youngsters who finished Class 12 and were at least 18 years old with opportunities. At first, fifty females signed up. They learned how to do ophthalmic treatments from us.

“We extended the initiative across the state as a result of its success. Currently, 1,000 girls sign up for it annually. They are our priceless possession. We care for our staff as if they were our own. Our secret to success is their full participation. We all consider ourselves to be paid workers here; we never consider ourselves to be the institution’s proprietors,” she says to TNIE.

The MLOP program has been converting women from rural origins into elite eye care specialists for more than 40 years.

One such person is VS Krishnaveni (46), who works as the Retina clinic’s manager. Krishnaveni, a native of Thirumangalam’s Karuvelampatti village, finished his MLOP training in 1994 and has been employed by the hospital ever since. For me, it was a fantastic opportunity. I received a stipend and free training, and I was later hired here with a respectable wage. I could have become an agricultural laborer if it weren’t for this position,” she adds.

An additional recipient of the program is M Lakshmi, a native of Periyakulam in the Theni district. Lakshmi, a 33-year hospital employee who oversees nursing staff, says, “This course and the employment here transformed me in all levels.”

There are now 164 Aravind Eye Hospitals in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, employing around 6,000 people.

“Our current focus is on advancing the institution through sustainable measures, such as prohibiting single-use plastics and utilizing solar energy for 80% of the energy in all hospitals,” says Dr. Nachiar.

Dr. P Nam, Chairman Emeritus and professor of ophthalmology, was instrumental in converting Aravind Eye Hospital from a cataract-focused facility to a top-tier provider of eye care, even though Dr. Nachiar is recognized as the creator of the MLOP program.

In 1979, he founded the Retina Vitreous Clinic at Aravind Eye Hospital and the first vitreous surgery center in India at Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai.

Twenty percent of the eight million diabetics in India risk losing their sight without showing any symptoms. Regular check-ups with the doctor may stop this blindness. He said that Aravind Eye Hospital has started programs in the Theni area and intends to expand to other regions.