The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced plans to independently document Karnataka’s Asha Kirana initiative—a pioneering, community-driven eye care program that brings essential services directly to people’s doorsteps—as a model for integrated, people-centered eye health worldwide.
In an official letter dated June 30, addressed to Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, WHO India Representative Dr. Roderico H. Ofrin praised the initiative for its exemplary design and implementation.
“The Asha Kirana program exemplifies WHO’s Integrated People-Centred Eye Care (IPEC) principles by embedding eye care within primary health services and the broader public health system,” Dr. Ofrin noted.
As part of its global documentation effort, WHO will undertake a comprehensive assessment of the initiative using its established Eye Care Situation Analysis Tool (ECSAT) and Eye Care Indicator Menu (ECIM). This evaluation—offered at no cost to the state—will examine the program’s processes, impact, and key learnings, with the aim of contributing to global knowledge-sharing in eye care systems.
WHO has requested the Karnataka government to appoint a nodal officer to facilitate coordination during the documentation process.
Launched by the Karnataka government as a doorstep eye care service, Asha Kirana has gained recognition for its innovative and inclusive approach. The initiative focuses on early detection, prevention, and community outreach, ensuring that vulnerable and underserved populations receive timely and equitable eye care.
“The Asha Kirana model represents an important stride toward eliminating avoidable blindness,” the WHO letter stated, commending the state’s phased rollout strategy and its potential for scaling up.
By integrating eye care into the primary healthcare system, Karnataka has created a replicable framework for other regions. WHO emphasized that documenting this success story will help inform global best practices, especially in promoting equitable, accessible, and sustainable public health interventions.