The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the 28th Congress of the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology at Hyderabad today (January 17, 2013).

Speaking on the occasion, the President said as stated in the Vision 2020 document of WHO, the problem of blindness can only be combated through increased political commitment, professional commitment, provision of high quality eye care, increasing public awareness and support of non-governmental organizations and private sector. Private sector companies and government institutions should join hands to fight blindness and visual impairment. The private sector companies should not consider this a burden but as a way of discharging their social obligations. If the local medical associations like the Indian Medical

Association can take this initiative in collaboration with the non-governmental organizations in towns and districts, it would make a distinct difference.

The President urged delegates present there not to count their success in terms of the economic prosperity, but by the number of people who they can help prevent from becoming blind or by giving sight to those who live without it.

The President said he is confident that the Congress would find solutions for providing greater medical access to the needy. He also hoped that the technical sessions would provide the necessary platform for knowledge sharing and information dissemination.

This release issued at 1930 hrs