Aster Volunteers Introduces ‘Clear Sight’: Free Pediatric Vision Screening for School Children in Kerala

• Shri. V. Sivankutty, Hon. Minister of Education, Government of Kerala, flagged off the
  “Clear Sight” vehicles on July 24^th, 2024 at Thiruvananthapuram
• The project aims to provide free vision screenings for nearly 30,000 school children every year for 10 years from nearly 140 schools starting with the Ernakulam and Kozhikode regions of Kerala
• Aid worth ₹1 Cr per annum benefitting school children in the two regions for over 10 years, amounting to a total sum of ₹10 crores

BENGALURU: Aster Volunteers the global CSR arm of Aster DM Healthcare with the support of Asterians United along with Aster DM Healthcare Hospitals in Kerala (Aster Medcity Kochi & Aster MIMS – Calicut, Kannur, Kottakkal) and OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation launched “Clear Sight”, a free pediatric vision screening project for the school children in the Ernakulam and Kozhikode regions of Kerala.

Asterians United is Aster DM Healthcare’s employee engagement initiative spanning across multiple regions, emphasizing three core pillars: Sports, Arts, and Volunteerism. This program encapsulates the spirit of resilience and hope that characterizes every member of the Aster family.  The capital expenditure of both the “Clear Sight” project vehicles was co-funded by Asterians United, ensuring the sustainability and longevity of this initiative.

“The key objective of the project is to provide school children the chance to enhance their quality of life by improving their eyesight. The approach involves establishing testing protocols and extends to the provision of pre-fabricated spectacles as soon as the children receive a diagnosis, ensuring timely and effective intervention to combat the growing myopia concern. The two regions in Kerala, serve as the beginning of the noble journey of making clear sight accessible to many more children across Kerala and the country shortly. Aster Volunteers Mobile Medical Services (AVMMS) is a one-of-a-kind CSR initiative by Aster DM Healthcare aimed at bridging the gap in healthcare accessibility by providing free medical camps and disaster aid support to needy communities in remote areas. Since its inception, AVMMS has treated over 1.4 million individuals across India, the Middle East, and Africa, positively impacting lives in regions with limited or no access to medical facilities. The initiative has a global network of over 40 units, with plans of further extension. The “Clear Sight” project marks a significant milestone in this journey, reaffirming Aster’s dedication to global health and well-being.“Aster Volunteers is dedicated to making quality healthcare accessible to anyone, anywhere. The “Clear Sight” project is one such instance and serves as a stepping stone in our commitment to aiding school children. Through our “Clear Sight” project we aim to make the basic right to clear sight possible for the future leaders of our country” says Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder and Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare.  

Following the flag-off of the two “Clear Sight” vehicles, Shri. V. Sivankutty, Hon. Minister of Education, Kerala, said “With the onset of hybrid educational modes, the exposure to digital study materials and social media has increased multifold in recent years. As a result, undiagnosed vision problems become a common yet serious problem among school children. The “Clear Sight” project by Aster Volunteers and OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation would play a significant role in improving the overall impact of poor vision on the education and everyday activities of school children.”  

“By ensuring a clear vision for children in two regions of Kerala, we’re making a direct impact on children’s educational journey, personal growth, and promising future. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Aster Group and Government of Kerala ensuring that people across the regions have access to quality eye care. Together, we’re not only correcting vision but also shaping a brighter and more equitable tomorrow for all,” said K V Mahesh, Head of OneSight Essilor Luxottica Foundation.