Orbis has partnered with Quality & Accreditation Institute (QAI) to release a comprehensive set of guidelines for ophthalmology hospitals/clinics in India on November 12 to mark World Quality Day.

The resource titled, ‘Comprehensive Guidelines For OPD/ IPD Services in Ophthalmology Hospitals/Clinics Under New Normal: Living with Covid-19’, has been formulated by experts in ophthalmology and quality across the country and has been reviewed by Dr Patanjali Dev Nayar, Regional Adviser; Disability & Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation Department of Healthier Populations and Noncommunicable Diseases WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia, New Delhi, India apart from Centres of Excellence, namely, Aravind Eye Hospital, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Dr Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS and Sankara Nethralaya.

Launching the guidelines, Dr Promila Gupta, Principal Consultant, Director General of Health Services (MoHFW), Chief Guest, said, “The guidelines issued by Orbis and QAI for the eye healthcare professionals is a comprehensive and standard document to be followed to ensure the well-being and safety of patients, attendants and health care professionals.”

Speaking about the guidelines, Dr Nayar said, “These comprehensive set of guidelines, based on several references from across different national and international Organisations including WHO, would support Ophthalmology hospital and clinic including outreach clinics/ vision centres in their functioning in a safer manner.”

The Orbis-QAI guidelines are a comprehensive compilation of guidelines, advise and action plan to be followed in different areas of an Ophthalmology hospital and clinic including outreach clinics/ vision centres in order to function effectively by containing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, cause of COVID-19 disease.

Dr Rishi Raj Borah, Country Director, Orbis India said, “I believe the guidelines will be resourceful for not just our partner network but for any eye hospital or clinic and their outreach initiatives within the country.”