Novartis announces XOVA 2021 Winners

This year, a record number of 170 non profit eye health initiatives from 39 countries were submitted to the eXcellence in Ophthalmology Vision Award (XOVA). An independent panel of ophthalmology and optometry experts selected the 10 projects 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 €460,000, projected to benefit upto 558,262 people.

Novartis congratulates this year’s winning projects:

•Diabetic retinopathy screening project in 4 referral districts in Timor Leste. Dr. Nguyen, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons

•Reducing the burden of visual impairment in school-going children with oculocutaneous albinism in North Central Region, Nigeria. Dr. Uwazie, Bridge Of Sight Foundation, Nigeria

•Economic and social empowerment through improving Zanzibari craftswomen’s vision. Dr. Chan, Centre for Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast, UK

•Tele-medical diabetic retinopathy screening for underserved communities in 16 regions across India. Dr. Wintergerst, University Hospital Bonn, Germany

•Creation of diabetic retinopathy referral network in Bangladesh. Dr. Ahmed Orbis International Inc.

•Scaling up cataract services in Kwara State, Nigeria through outreaches and integration of primary eye care into primary health care. Prof. Adepoju, University Of ILorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara State, Nigeria 

•Eye care service to school children in rural Southern Ethiopia. Prof. Teklehaimanont Grarbet Tehadisso Mahber(GTM), Ethiopia

The extraordinary eye care program in Nepal. Dr. Thakur, CBM Italia Onlus, Italy

•Virtu-i-see. Dr. Carneiro Saúde, Alegria e Sustentabilidade Brasil

•Lecturing the silent thief of the night. Jacqueline Bungart Light for the World International, Austria