Sightsavers India encourages and trains young ophthalmologists under their Fellowship Program
New Delhi: Sightsavers India, an international organization that has been protecting sight and fighting for disability rights has opened applications for the Sightsavers India Fellowship program 2022. This fellowship is a first-of-its-kind fellowship program, started in 2019 for young ophthalmologists. The initiative focuses on grooming bright and competent young ophthalmologists into skilled professionals.
Sightsavers India Fellowship is an opportunity for promising and passionate young ophthalmologists to get trained at leading eye health institutions in India. Alongside, it gives them a chance to apply their skills and knowledge in the real world while being placed under Sightsavers India Eye Health Programme. Over the period of 24 months, the fellows experience a structured skill enhancement and mentoring process covering not only clinical and surgical ophthalmology but also managerial and holistic life skills. The process involves skills up-gradation components and personal interactions with eminent leaders in the eye care and development sector. Selected fellows get an attractive appreciative stipend through the fellowship period.
Speaking on the India Fellowship Program, Mr. RN Mohanty, CEO at Sightsavers India said, “Sightsavers in India launched a first-of-its-kind India Fellowship Program in 2019 for ophthalmologists. Every year, since then, the initiative has given us an opportunity to groom bright competent young ophthalmologists into skilled professionals. The program envisions cultivating a capable and motivated workforce in the eye care field for rural India. Currently, there are nearly 18,000 Ophthalmologists present in the country, which is nowhere near enough with respect to the ratio of the population in India. We need more ophthalmologists. With this program, we hope to bring about a positive substantial impact in society.”
Dr. Anoop Kumar Singh, Sightsavers India’s first fellow graduate shared his experience by saying, “Initial four months of training was packed with wet labs, surgical/ clinical postings and lecture classes along with routine departmental presentations and CMEs. It provided necessary exposure under excellent mentorship and guidance which would have needed more time investment outside the fellowship. After the training, placement at the host hospital is giving me a real sense of working. I am engaged in OPD as well as OT equally just like a consultant. I always find overwhelming and constant support from the Sightsavers team while moving out of my comfort zone. This kind of support is incomparable and rare to find”