AMMACHI Labs Receives Prestigious ICSSR Research Grant to Advance Rural Eye Care in India

Building Grassroots Community Capacity to Reduce Preventable Blindness in Rural India

AMMACHI Labs has been awarded a prestigious ICSSR Research Grant for a new initiative focused on strengthening community-based eye-health systems in rural India.

The initiative marks the next phase of the Amrita Eye Care Champions journey, bringing a successful healthcare model from Sub-Saharan Africa and Central America into underserved rural communities across India.

By combining digital learning through the Skill e-Labs platform with intensive hands-on training, the project will empower local community members to become Eye Care Champions capable of identifying vision problems early and connecting individuals to timely medical care.

To date, the Amrita Eye Care Champions Project has already trained more than 50 health workers across Kenya and Honduras, who are now preparing to train additional health workers and conduct eye screenings within rural communities.

• Early Detection – Strengthening awareness and improving access to timely eye-health support in underserved communities.
• Global Collaboration – Expanding a proven international community healthcare model from Kenya and Honduras into rural India.
• Community Training – Empowering local individuals through digital learning, practical training, and sustainable healthcare education

Project Leadership Team

• Dr. Drishti Marwha – Project Director
• Dr. Gopal S. Pillai – Co-Project Director
• Dr. Merin Dickson Mickayel – Co-Project Director

AMMACHI Labs continues its commitment toward socially impactful research, technology-enabled healthcare innovation, and sustainable community empowerment initiatives.