Physical Health Tanzania, United Republic of Project #736

Cure Blindness Project

by Cure Blindness Project

Project Report | Jul 24, 2015
Updates on Nepal

By Beth O'Grady | Operations Specialist

Relief efforts

Since our last Global Giving report, Nepal was devastated by two earthquakes. Our partner in Kathmandu, the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, led by our co-founder, Dr. Sanduk Ruit, took immediate action, meeting the immediate urgent needs of those effected.

Tilganga provided truckloads of supplies containing food, medical supplies, tenst and linens to the most heavily damaged rural areas. At the hospital in Kathmandu, medical assistance was provided to those in need.

As monsoon fast approached, efforts shifted to creating temporary shelters to those who lost their homes in the earthquake. Temporary shelters are still being created in the Sindu area.

While Nepal and our partners continue recovery efforts, outreach in terms of cataract surgeries has been impacted, while immediate medical issues and needs are addressed.

Recovery and rehabilitation will be a long process, but work has already begun towards bringing Nepal back to its feet.

The Himalayan Cataract Project and our partners are so grateful for the support during this devastating event. In the words of Dr. Ruit, your compassion provided strength at a very challenging time.

A young earthquake victim treated at Tilganga

Children in front of temporary shelter

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Apr 24, 2015
Training and outreach in Myanmar, Nepal and India

By Beth O'Grady | Operations Specialist

Myanmar Monk waiting for surgery

The Himalayan Cataract Project (HCP), along with the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, are working with the government of Myanmar to improve the nation's eye care system. As part of this work, in March, Himalayan Cataract Project Co-Founders Drs. Sanduk Ruit and Geoff Tabin, along with partners from the Yangoon Eye Hospital, completed a cataract and corneal surgical training workshop. Over a 10-day period, 30 ophthalmologists and 20 ophthalmology residents gained valuable surgical skills. Over 700 surgeries were completed at two locations (Yangoon and Taunggyu), including 11 corneal transplants. Patients ranged from 4 years to 106 years old.

Additionally, HCP and Tilganga have discussed the development of a Cornea Eye Bank in Myanmar with local partners. Myanmar currently receives a far fewer number of cornea donations than what is needed. The development of a local eye bank would be a tremendous step towards curing corneal disease throughout the country.

Meanwhile in Nepal in March, Dr. Geoff Tabin participated in a four-day, hands-on cornea training workshop at the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology in Nepal. Dr. Tabin worked alongside four Nepali and one Indian corneal specialist to practice new techniques, review procedures, and provide ongoing assessment and training. In 2014, the eye bank had its most successful year with more than 550 corneas made available for transplant.

And in India Dr. Govind Paudyal and his team from the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology returned to Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya Charity Hospital in Mangahr, India, to work with local surgeons on a four-day cataract campaign. Working with local ophthalmologists, Dr. Paudyal’s team completed a total of 894 cataract surgeries and six other eye surgeries.

Post Op patients in India

Future trainees in Myanmar

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Jan 29, 2015
Outreach in Nepal, Bhutan and India

By Beth O'Grady | Operations Specialist

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