Sankara Eye Foundation, India: Celebrating Milestones and Embracing Global Partnerships

At Sankara Eye Foundation India (SEFI), every number tells a human story – of sight regained, dignity restored, and futures reimagined – A true “Gift of Vision”. As the calendar turned to 2026, SEFI marked a defining moment: over 3 million free eye surgeries completed across 10 states and 224 districts under its flagship program for community eye care. This milestone isn’t just a statistic – it’s a reflection of four decades of purpose-driven service to eradicate preventable blindness.

When Excellence Meets Empathy: The JUSE Visit to SEFI

On 21st January 2026, SEFI welcomed a distinguished delegation from the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE) – the global champions of Total Quality Management (TQM). Led by Mr. Masato Onodera, Managing Director of JUSE, and Mr. Kazutoshi Maeda, Deputy General Manager, the visit marked an extraordinary cross-cultural exchange on organizational excellence and quality in service delivery.

Through engaging discussions and presentations, the JUSE team witnessed how SEFI’s philosophy “Sight for All” has evolved into a system of compassionate precision, blending heart and discipline in equal measure.

Mr. Onodera commended SEFI for its ability to deliver 75% of treatments free of cost. It is indeed a rare and remarkable balance between excellence and empathy. He lauded SEFI’s focus on system improvement and daily practices that maximize value for patients, noting that lessons from SEFI could inspire not just hospitals, but industries in other spheres as well. Mr. Maeda expressed admiration for the commitment of SEFI’s doctors, noting how remarkable it was to see so many busy clinicians united by a shared vision of service.

Milestones That Reflect a Movement

The JUSE visit coincided with SEFI’s celebration of landmark achievements – the completion of 3 million free eye surgeries, the scaling of preventive programs like Rainbow (for school eye health, under which 8.6 million children have been screened across 10 states till date) and ROP screening for premature infants, along with the continued expansion of its 14 hospitals and 50+ vision centres. Each initiative strengthens SEFI’s mission to reach communities where access to care remains a challenge and to ensure that no one is left behind because of where they live or what they earn.

Towards a Future of Shared Excellence

As SEFI steps into its 50th year of service, it stands as both a leader and a learner – committed to compassionate care while embracing global best practices in quality, efficiency, and sustainability. The JUSE delegation’s visit was more than a moment of recognition; it was a reaffirmation that quality and compassion are universal languages that unite those who serve humanity.

Together, SEFI and its global partners continue to envision a world where curable blindness becomes history – and every person, everywhere, can open their eyes to light, colour, and opportunity once more with a gift of vision.