The Eye Care Project
Our main focus is on education but we are very conscious that many are prevented from studying because of poor eyesight. Very often this can be treated so in 2002 we started an Eye Care project. Under the direction of Sudanese ophthalmologist Dr. Nabila Radi Elias, who donates much of her services to Together for Sudan, this project has become one of our showpieces for community cooperation. At no charge to patients, at least 2,500 individuals are now examined each year. Recently the Eye Care Project received an official award from the Sudanese Humanitarian Affairs Commission for community service.
Since the project started in 2002 with a one off grant from Christian Aid, a total of over 15,000 individuals have been examined and some 1,670 eye surgeries, mainly for cataract, have been carried out. Two years ago we trained 25 health and hygiene workers and several of these trainees now assist as volunteers during Eye Care outreaches. Most of the outreach sites are in areas where there are no or limited medical services. Our first outreach in the Nuba Mountains was held at Kadugli in 2006. Attendees at the field clinics are treated for conditions such as worms, burns, wounds, dysentery and skin ailments. Glaucoma, trachoma, eye tumours and eye injury or infection are common. The project has been supported by Refugees International Japan (RIJ) and Light for the World to whom we are most grateful.
RIJ also funded a week long Eye Care Outreach in Kadugli, the Nuba Mountains, in 2006 . -our first outreach beyond Khartoum-,twice in 2008 and planned twice for 2009. One was done in April2009 and the second will be in October. Together for Sudan Eye Care Outreach in Kadugli was continued in 2007/2008- and 2009/2009 thanks to support from Light for the World, an Austrian charity very active in Africa.
2010 sees Together for Sudan begin a new partnership with Operation Mercy to help bring eye care aid to homeless children in Khartoum.
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homeless child in need of eye careRelating Articles
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