Cure Blindness Project

First surgical outreach of the year results in 232 surgeries

The Himalayan Cataract Project’s first cataract outreach of 2018 provided surgery to 232 people between January 1st-6th. A team from Arba Minch managed the outreach in Yabelo, the zonal capital town of Borena, Ethiopia. A total 1,367 patients were screened, resulting in the 232 surgeries - 187 Cataract Surgeries and 45 Trachoma Trichiasis surgeries.

In Ethiopia, HCP provides:

• Direct Service: HCP is reducing the backlog of cataract blindness by working with 11 partners to conduct outreach programs that target remote rural areas and provide field-based training opportunities. Since 2008, HCP has directly supported 106 high-volume cataract campaigns resulting in 17,318 cataract surgeries.
• Training: HCP continues to increase utilization of eye care services by building a network of skilled, dedicated eye care professionals providing accessible, high-quality cataract and ophthalmic care. Since 2008, HCP has trained 323 ophthalmic personnel working at all levels of eye care in Ethiopia.
• Infrastructure: HCP is making tremendous strides in developing a sustainable eye care infrastructure in Ethiopia by supporting the development and equipping of eye care facilities, and promoting the development of local centers of eye care excellence.