Partners at Arba Minch Hospital, led by local ophthalmologist Dr. Dawit Gidey, provided 987 sight restoring cataract surgeries in just one week from August 21-27. The full team included HCP Co-Founder, Dr. Geoff Tabin; Hawaiian Eye Foundation Mission Surgeon, Dr. Jeff Rutgard; Hawaiian Eye Foundation Executive Director, Darrah Kauhane; HCP Ghanaian partners, Drs. Oscar Debrah and James Addy; and HCP International Fellow Dr. Allison Jarstad.
In addition to the cataract surgeries, patients were screened for trachoma trichiasis launching a new two year initiative with the Izumi Foundation to implement a combined cataract and trachoma (“TT+”) program with partners at Arba Minch and Quiha Zonal Hospitals. The TT+ program was developed to help HCP’s partners in Ethiopia provide services to those arriving at planned cataract screenings with a variety of non-cataract eye ailments including trachoma. Patients diagnosed with the infectious disease were scheduled to return for surgery in September.
