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Published: 20.10.2020
Xova 2020 cover image
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This year, a record number of 156 non-profit eye health initiatives from 38 countries were submitted to the eXcellence in Ophthalmology Vision Award (XOVA). As a result, an independent panel of ophthalmology and optometry experts selected the 12 projects, compared to 10 in 2019, that aligned best with XOVA’s mission to have a significant impact in unmet needs. In total Novartis will award the winning initiatives with a combined grant worth €515,000, projected to benefit up to 200,000 people.

Novartis congratulates this year’s winners:

  • School teachers as vision screeners for refractive errors and vitamin A deficiency in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India
    Fr. Jacob Poikathanickal (Sabu P.L) on behalf of Purvanchal Gramin Seva Samiti (PGSS)
  • Improving access to diabetic retinopathy screening and treatment (IMPACT) in Malawi
    Dr. Shaffi Yusuf Mdala on behalf of the College of Ophthalmology of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa (COECSA)
  • Expanding pediatric access to eye care in Guatemala
    Dr. Chundak Tenzing on behalf of the Seva Foundation
  • India’s Vision on Wheels
    Dr. V. Vasumathy on behalf of the Gurupriya Vision Research Foundation
  • Eye care delivery for Brazilians living in vulnerable conditions
    João M Furtado on behalf of Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil
  • The Karnali Cataract Project
    Dr. Shakti Prasad Subedi on behalf of Nepal Red Cross Society Surkhet Eye Hospital
  • Eye care services for minority populations in Pakistan
    Sohail Ayaz Khan on behalf of the Comprehensive Health and Education Forum International (CHEF Int’l)
  • Blindness Free Village Initiative, Udhampur, India
    John M Barrows on behalf of the International Eye Foundation
  • Chemba District’s first community eye center
    Dr. Frank Sandi on behalf of the University of Dodoma Teaching Hospital
  • Reducing the burden of blindness in Mopti region, Mali
    Dr. Borja Corcóstegui Guraya on behalf of Eyes of the World Foundation
  • War against diabetic blindness in Central India
    Dr. Gajendra Chawla on behalf of Vision Academy – The Socio Medical Society, Samiti
  • Telescreening for ROP in Bangladesh
    Lindsay Hampejsková on behalf of IRD Global

Applications open for 2021

Applications are now open for the 2021 awards: You can find out more information and apply here.