Young Systems Leader: Bharti Janyani 

Driven by a strong desire to support her family financially and serve her community, Bharti Janyani entered the field of Community Ophthalmology at the young age of 20, despite having no prior medical background. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, she began her career as a Back Office Personnel at Sewa Sadan Eye Hospital in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. Over time, Bharti immersed herself in the intricacies of community projects, hospital operations, quality management, and administration. Her dedication and drive led her to become the hospital’s youngest and first female administrator within just four years of service.

Bharti’s work has been deeply impactful in addressing visual impairment and blindness, with a special focus on strengthening primary eye care in rural Madhya Pradesh. She played a pivotal role in making the hospital more accessible to patients with temporary or permanent disabilities.

Understanding the urgent need for sustainable eye care in underserved regions, Bharti assembled and led a team to establish 39 primary eye care centres across 10 districts of Madhya Pradesh. These centres provide permanent eye care services to rural and semi-urban areas, serving approximately 150,000 patients annually, performing 10,000 surgeries, and dispensing 36,000 pairs of glasses each year. Her strategic efforts have fostered a culture of people-centred care and extended services to otherwise unreachable populations.

In addition to her contributions to eye care, Bharti initiated a program to provide free education to underprivileged students facing financial barriers. The program aims to develop a skilled workforce dedicated to combating blindness in rural and underserved communities. By 2024, the program had graduated 29 students, many of whom now independently manage primary centres or work in other regional eye hospitals. Currently, 49 students are enrolled in the program, with more than half being young women.

A passionate advocate for community ophthalmology, Bharti Janyani continues to dedicate her knowledge and skills to the mission of making communities free from avoidable blindness while reaching those most in need.