Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh
The relationship between ICEH and Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh (NNJS) began in 2017, when we collaborated on a 5-year Wellcome Trust-funded project to investigate novel diagnosis and treatment options for corneal infections. Since then our relationship has gone from strength to strength.
NNJS
Decades ago, nine physicians, social workers, and entrepreneurs united around a compelling realization: while global advancements in healthcare were accelerating, countless Nepali citizens remained deprived of basic eye care services. In response to this urgent need, NNJS was established in 1978 with the ambitious mission of eradicating avoidable blindness and delivering comprehensive, equitable eye care across Nepal.
Today, NNJS stands proudly as the nation’s largest philanthropic eye care service provider, serving approximately 80% of the Nepali population through a network of 28 hospitals, 226 eye care centers, and 45 district branches. From humble beginnings marked by limited resources, the network has significantly contributed to the reduction of the national prevalence of blindness – from 0.84% in 1981 to just 0.28% by 2021.
Guided by innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to equity, NNJS ensures comprehensive eye care remains accessible and affordable to as many people as possible in Nepal.
A Fruitful Partnership
After the successful completion of a clinical trial on different treatments for corneal infection at Sagarmatha Choudhary Eye Hospital (SCEH), Lahan, NNJS has been working with the ICEH team in projects on child health, fungal isolation, artificial intelligence and corneal infection diagnosis.
The collaboration now not only encompasses research projects, but has led to research capacity strengthening between the teams. Within NNJS, Dr. Reena Yadav completed her Master’s in Public Health for Eye Care in 2023 and Mr. Sandip Das Sanyam is currently enrolled in a PhD with ICEH at LSHTM.
The research skills of NNJS (including ophthalmologists, optometrists, ophthalmic assistants, the administrative team, and eye health workers) have also been strengthened through involvement in several collaborations between the centres. There are now GCP (Good Clinical Practice) certified staff skilled in preparing trial protocols, conducting in-depth interview and focus group discussions, alongside managing projects.
Ongoing Collaboration
ICEH and NNJS are currently working together on several major projects:
- Research into treatments for corneal infection: chlorhexidine vs natamycin
- AI-assisted diagnosis for microbial keratitis
- Improving access to eye screening programmes, including adaptive trials
- AI-assisted diagnosis for retinopathy of prematurity
- Preventing childhood blindness through integration into primary care
Working Together
Dr Sailesh Mishra, Executive Director of NNJS says:
“We have mutually benefited through this collaboration with ICEH, establishing a research department across the NNJS network for the first time and improving the research skills of several colleagues.
Through our work together we have published research on corneal infection in high impact journals, and are now engaged in several innovative and high profile research projects which aim to improve eye health in Nepal and beyond.
The partnership has provided great benefits for both NNJS and ICEH, and we value working together as partners and friends.
We share a good understanding in this collaboration and strongly believe that our research work will continue in future.”