Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
Friday, 24 May 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
With the aim of giving back to the community this Vesak season, leading mobile telecommunication innovator Etisalat Lanka will drive a unique Vesak Dansala to provide over 3,000 spectacles to financially challenged Sri Lankans, unable to afford the services of an optometrist and lenses.
In partnership with the Non-Governmental Organisation So Others May See Inc (SOMS), Etisalat will conduct the Vesak Dansala themed ‘Bringing hope, Giving sight’ under Etisalat’s Corporate Social Responsibility banner.
Free eye screening by optometrists and the free spectacle give away will be carried out from 24-26 May 2013 at the Etisalat Flagship Store premises – No. 109, Galle Road, Colombo 3. The central location was selected by the company as Galle Road sees thousands of visitors from all corners of the country arriving to witness the Vesak celebrations in Colombo.
“There are so many people in our community, deprived of clear vision due to financial difficulties. They are unable to afford even the simplest treatment that can make a world of difference to their sight,” said Director/CEO of Etisalat Lanka Dumindra Ratnayaka.
“Our aim is to give people this Vesak, the opportunity to see the world around them better. All are welcome. Our staff and their families will be contributing to this cause with their time and efforts. We are proud to partner with SOMS, an NGO with a vision to eliminate avoidable blindness in the world. This is the first time that we’re driving an initiative of this nature during Vesak.”
The free eye clinic and spectacle distribution will be provided to the first 3,000 people to walk into the Dansala, on a first-come first-serve basis. They will be registered and examined by optometrists and based on the state of their eyesight, the optometrists will recommend the required lens.
To test 1,000 individuals a day, SOMS estimates needing at least 12 optometrist stations, and there will be around 15 to 17 optometrists on site at the Dansala to assist with pre-screening, and oversee issuance of reading glasses on the spot. Custom made spectacles will be given approximately two to three weeks after the Clinic and they could be collected from one of the 30 Etisalat franchise locations closet to the patient.
Speaking on the initiative, Etisalat Senior Manager Brand Marketing – Prepaid Shameel Bishri said: “As a leading corporate in the country, we are committed to give back to the community we operate in. Etisalat focused on driving meaningful community development projects over the years, like ICT education in rural villages and the uplifting of underprivileged schools across the country. Staying true to the essence of Vesak, we felt an initiative of this nature would truly benefit the people expected to visit Colombo during this season.”
Uncorrected refractive errors are a surprisingly widespread problem in all districts across Sri Lanka. According to estimates about 800,000 of the population suffer from moderate to severe visual impairment and urgently need eye aid, however, a much larger number requires refractive error correction. There are three million prebyopic adults requiring reading glasses.
