ABSTRACT
Background: The condition of xeropthalmia refers to the spectrum of ocular manifestations generally because of the vitamin A deficiency. Signs and symptoms include those involving impaired sensitivity of retina to light generally termed as night blindness. In order of their appearance and severity the epithelial disruption of cornea and conjunctiva for example conjunctival xerosis, bitot spots, corneal xerosis and keratomalacia. Methods: A detailed and elaborated study was conducted in the department ophthalmology, Swatantra Sainani late Dr. Mangal Singh District Hospital, Dholpur, Rajasthan, India. A total of 54 patients were studied and involved in the study over a period of 6 months. All patients were divided into three categories of mild, moderate and severe xeropthalmia. Patients from 13 years to 55 years of age were selected for the study analysis. An informed consent was obtained from each patient or from the guardian. All patients were asked to get a vitamin A test done. Results: A total of 54 patients so selected for the study analysis, 34 were female (63%) and 20 were male(37%).(Graph1). Accordingtotheclinicalvaluesandseverity23patientswerediagnosedwith mild xeropthalmia with slight difficulty in night vision and clinical values of 0.25-0.30 mg/L, 19 patients were diagnosed with moderate xeropthalmia with values of 0.20-0.24 mg/L and 12 patients were diagnosed with severe xeropthalmia with values of below 0.20mg/L of vitamin A in blood at any given time. Conclusion: Xeropthalmia can occur in any age group and especially in pre school-age children, adolescents and pregnant women. However, children are at higher risk of vitamin A deficiency and xeropthalmia, owing to their greater vitamin A requirements for growth.
ABSTRACT
Universal health coverage (UHC) is the means to provide accessible and appropriate health services to all citizens without fi nancial hardships. India, an emerging economy with demographic window of opportunity has been facing dual burden of diseases in midst of multiple transitions. Health situation in the country despite quantum improvements in recent past has enormous challenges with urban-rural and interstate differentials. Successful national programs exists, but lack ability to provide and sustain UHC. Achieving UHC require sustained mechanisms for health fi nancing and to provide fi nancial protection through national health packages. There is a need to ensure universal access to medicines, vaccines and emerging technologies along with development of Human Resources for Health (HRH). Health service, management, and institutional reforms are required along with enhanced focus on social determinants of health and citizen engagement. UHC is the way for providing health assurance and enlarging scope of primary health care to nook and corners of the country.