By Diane Weatherup | Development Director
The pandemic severely impacted eye health services in Ethiopia. And after months of restrictions, Orbis partner hospitals and clinics were able to resume our eye health services. But we faced challenges in adaptation, both in health facilities and in community outreach programmes, so we could operate in a Covid-secure manner.
It wasn’t until the final quarter of 2020 when we were in the position to fully begin supporting eye health facilities so trachoma trichiasis and cataract surgery and other services could be provided.
Unfortunately, if someone's eye condition is not identified early enough, it can lead to irreversible visual impairment or even blindness – which in turn can create a cycle of social exclusion, emotional trauma and economic hardship.
In Ethiopia, specialist skills and knowledge of eye health is in demand and Orbis needs to be there to provide those skills. We need to work with governments, schools, communities and eye health professionals to screen and treat those who need us, to create brighter futures.
Shemsedin is a farmer from southern Ethiopia. He watched his grandparents lose their sight due to trachoma and, at that time, nothing could be done to help them. His generation, and that of his 11-month-old daughter, have been spared the same fate through the educational efforts of Orbis, and the medicine and treatment they provide within his village.
Shemsedin and his daughter, Hamdia, both received the antibiotic to prevent trachoma infection during a house-to-house mass drug administration programme by Orbis. They were just two of almost a million people who received the drug in the area.
The past 18 months brought new health challenges to this community in the form of the Covid-19 pandemic. Thanks to the hygiene education and initiatives put in place by Orbis, Shemsedin feels more prepared for tackling trachoma and Covid-19.
"In the past, our parents struggled with their vision because of trachoma. Most of us have some family members who lost their eyesight." Shemsedin
We’re only able to continue reaching people like Shemsedin and his daughter, particularly amid the pandemic, thanks to the incredible support we receive.
By Kate McGrath | Content Creation Intern
By Ciara Hennebry | Development Manager
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