Bengaluru, January 18, 2017: Reiterating its commitment towards eyecare, Microsoft has collaborated with Sankara Eye Hospital, Bangalore to launch “Maitri”, a customized rehabilitation bus that visits remote villages in Karnataka to identify citizens suffering from vision problems and provides comprehensive rehabilitation services. With less than 30% of the blind receiving rehabilitation services, Maitri was conceptualized to provide rehabilitation to visually impaired patients at their doorstep, helping them become independent and improve their quality of life. Microsoft has contributed funding to build and launch the bus under its commitment to corporate social responsibility and meeting the provisions of Schedsule VII of the Companies 2013 Act.

In a pilot undertaken at Hoskote Village, the Maitri team has screened over 130 citizens for vision issues in the past few months. More than 30 trainings for visually challenged individuals have been undertaken in the Mobile Rehabilitation facility. The beneficiaries vary from small children to adults. So far, 32 visits have been successfully concluded across parts of Hoskote with the Maitri bus and 54 patients having been taught skills ranging from the use of Assistive devices, Computer literacy and even home skills of how to use a stove and function in a kitchen.

3-year-old Tanmay was brought to the Maitri bus by his parents as he had trouble paying attention to objects and was unable to recognize facial expressions. The specialists at Maitri diagnosed him with delayed visual maturation and thereafter, he was given a therapy for visual simulation. His parents were also counselled about the problem and its treatment. A month following the final visual prognosis and sessions of vision stimulation, Tanmay can now recognize illuminated objects and has started observing facial expressions. The journey of rehabilitation and integration has begun for him.

Dr. Pushparaj, Joint Director, Department (Ophthalmology), Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka said, “It is a matter of pride that the first Mobile Vision Rehabilitation bus in the country – “Maitri”, has been made possible by Microsoft’s CSR grant to Sankara Eye Hospital, Bengaluru. This initiative will significantly benefit the people of Karnataka. We look forward to partnering with Sankara Eye Hospital in this wonderful initiative with other departments, to ensure that the facilities are utilized to the maximum. We hope this will inspire more corporates to collaborate with healthcare institutions for a healthier India.”

Speaking during the launch of the service, Chitra Sood, Director – Director, Business Management and Strategy, Microsoft India (R&D) Pvt. Ltd said “Giving is something that’s central to our culture at Microsoft. Our CSR activities aim to empower people and help them realize their potential. In our view eye health and vision rehabilitation are one of the means to ensure that people can pursue their dreams. The Maitri Mobile Vision Rehabilitation bus is a big step in ensuring that healthcare reaches the door step of anyone in need.”

Speaking during the launch Dr. R.V. Ramani, Founder & Managing Trustee, Sankara Eye Foundation said, “Our vision rehabilitation team has helped thousands over the years at Bangalore. Distance has been a barrier

  for the blind or visually impaired to access our rehabilitation clinic from other parts of the state. We are now taking this very service with no compromise on the quality of infrastructure or personnel to their doorstep. Collaboration is important for us to help integrate the blind. Maitri is a model of how a caring corporate, a dedicated organization and the government can work together to help over 500 visually impaired individuals from rural communities gain independence annually.”

About Microsoft India

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) Microsoft is the leading platform and productivity company for the mobile-first, cloud-first world, and its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Microsoft set up its India operations in 1990. Today, Microsoft entities in India have over 7,000 employees engaged in sales and marketing, research and development, and customer services and support across ten cities – Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune.

About Sankara Eye Hospital, Bangalore

Sankara Eye Hospital, Bengaluru an NABH accredited tertiary hospital is a unit of Sankara Eye Foundation. The hospital was established in 2008 with a vision to provide highest quality and value for money in eye care services. It is a centre of excellence in ophthalmology.

TheDepartment of Vision Rehabilitation at the Hospital provides  comprehensive vision rehabilitation services – early intervention, training in activities in daily living, educational guidance, environmental modifications, training in use of low vision devices, training in use of assistive software, vocation guidance, guiding in getting supportive benefits from govt. & runs a library for the visually impaired with braille, large print & audio books. Sankara Eye Foundation has its presence across 8 states and total bed strength of 1800. Till date more than 1.5 million free vision restoration surgeries have been performed across Sankara.