Sightsavers India opens applications for 2025 fellowship to bridge rural eye care gap

Sightsavers India has announced the opening of applications for the 2025 cohort of its India Fellowship Program, aimed at strengthening access to eye care in underserved regions. The development organisation, which works to prevent avoidable blindness and promote equal opportunities for people with disabilities, said the initiative is a step towards addressing the shortage of trained ophthalmologists in rural and peri-urban India.

According to the study Democratising Access to World-Class Eye Care, India has around 25,000 ophthalmologists, or approximately 15 per million population. However, the study also notes a wide urban-rural disparity: urban areas have one ophthalmologist per 10,000 people, while rural areas have only one per 250,000. This imbalance has led to limited access to timely diagnosis and treatment in remote areas.

To address this challenge, the Sightsavers India Fellowship Program provides young ophthalmologists with structured clinical training and practical experience. The 24-month residential programme includes mentorship in high-volume settings, district-level postings, and participation in community-based eye health surveys. It is designed to develop both professional and personal competencies, combining surgical and clinical training with sessions on managerial skills and holistic development.

The fellowship is open to postgraduates or diploma holders in ophthalmology (MS/DO/DNB) from recognised Indian institutions, including current year graduates. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a strong learning orientation, professional ethics, adaptability, and emotional resilience. Fellows will be provided with a stipend and residential facilities.

RN Mohanty, CEO of Sightsavers India, said, “India has made remarkable strides in expanding access to eye care and strengthening human resources remains key to sustaining this progress. Through Sightsavers India’s Fellowship Program, we are proud to nurture young ophthalmologists who are passionate about delivering quality care where it’s needed most. We look forward to welcoming the next cohort of fellows—future leaders who will help shape a more inclusive society and contribute to reducing blindness prevalence.”

Applications are open until 15 August 2025.