Outreach Eye Camps in Ethiopia

A surgical outreach intervention held at Arbaminch General Hospital in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Region (SNNPR) region from March 20-25th provided 981 cataract surgeries. The surgical team consisted of HCP co-founder Dr. Geoff Tabin, Dr. Demoze of Hawassa University, Abraham Aregay of Woldiya Hospital, HCP Volunteer Timmy O’Neill and visiting staff from other Ethiopian partners, including Quiha Zonal Hospital, Hawassa University, Mekele Hospital, Jimma University and Peace Corps. HCP and its 10 implementing partners in Ethiopia are working to reduce the backlog of cataract blindness. It is estimated that over 600,000 people are blind due to cataracts. HCP’s support for outreach campaigns provide much needed service while building ophthalmic capacity for Ethiopia’s present and future eye care personnel.

Also in March, HCP Partner Abba Philippos Memorial Eye Clinic of Ethiopia conducted 3 consecutive outreach events, yielding a total of 549 surgeries – the highest number of people this outreach team has reached in a single month. The team began at Bodji Clinic, where 90 cataract surgeries were performed in two days. From there, they traveled directly to Aira Base Hospital, where a huge crowd was waiting for treatment. That week, they were able to complete 174 cataract surgeries, which is a record high for the base hospital. Finally, the surgical team made their way to Dembidollo, where they did an additional 285 cataract surgeries in six days. Advance screening of patients was conducted by the Aira Base Hospital and Dembidollo staff.

“On behalf of the eye team and the patients, we would like to thank you and our donors for this huge help. May God bless you all. We are very glad to be part of this.”

Patient Stories from the Field:

• A female patient, age 25, had been blind for two years. She completed grade nine but could not go back to school due to her poor eye vision. Her exam revealed bilateral cataracts. Surgery went well with excellent post-operative vision. The next morning upon removing her eye patches, she smiled and stared at her brother who had brought her to the hospital. She is very eager to go back to school.
• A female patient, age 30, had been blind for 13 years. She had been advised by traditional healers not to seek modern medical care and thus remained at home for many years, unable to see. The surgery was uneventful and she had an excellent outcome. After the patch was removed, she told her story to other patients and kept on smiling and laughing.
• A male patient had been blind for the last 12 months from cataracts. He moved to Wellega from the eastern part of Ethiopia 8 years ago due to drought in that area. He could not afford to go to Aira Hospital and had been waiting for the arrival of the Abba Philippos eye team. He had excellent post operative vision and was very happy.