January - February 2021 - webnews

A message from Dr Helen Roberts

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Our job in this very difficult year has been clear; to continue to provide services so that no one suffers needlessly from blindness or pain during this very difficult period,  while keeping the staff, their families and our patients safe from catching Covid.
 
We have been able to do this because, in place of the money which usually came in from the patients attending, we were supported by your regular personal donations and from our donors whose support enabled us to put safety measures in place so that we could continue our day-to-day job, while protecting both patients and staff
 
I am delighted to report that none of our staff became ill from Covid.  
 
During this challenging period our community-based workers, far from sitting at home, were out on their motorbikes, in their protective equipment,  continuing their work in the field. Because the schools were closed, we  modified our approach to work with smaller groups. We found very willing and able workers within youth and women’s groups, and, far from halting, field activity was able to continue in its quest of ensuring that those with eye problems were able to access care.
 
We did see 10,000 fewer patients than in 2019 and operated on 600 fewer cataracts,  but we were able to stick to our fundamental pledge:  that no one who needed care was turned away. Sadly, some routine work was impacted and we were able to treat far fewer people with chronic disease affecting the eyes,  such as diabetes. When this pandemic is under better control we anticipate a backlog on this and are preparing for such
 
I want to thank all our donors and our staff who have all gone beyond the extra mile to work together so that we can continue to do what we set out to.. Eye Care for All and the inclusion of those with disability… 
 
We look forward to the world getting back to normal and being able to scale up the services again to their previous level. My profound thanks for your much-needed support, without which people would have suffered.

Regular giving

During these unusual times many of our fundraising efforts are on pause. This means we are relying more on our regular donors to continue to provide sight saving treatment. It is simple, safe and secure to set up a regular direct debit through the Charities Aid Foundation. Click on the link below to donate!

Donate

A Happy Patient

Cataract remains the commonest cause of preventable blindness in Africa. This is mostly because people cannot access quality care and, when they do, they cannot afford to pay even our subsidised costs. Recently Marisa, a 64 year old man who drives a pikipiki  (better known as a motorbike) was able to have cataract surgery thanks to a generous donor who donated through our 'Eye Give' shop.

Marisa had noticed that driving his pikipiki was becoming a little bit more difficult, especially with objects approaching from the right hand side. He limped along very carefully on his pikipiki to a field screening that we were holding near his home. As soon as we examined him we could understand why he was having trouble. He was completely blind in his right eye from cataract! 

Despite the risks of seeking care at this time of Covid, he was desperate to be able to see again so we operated on his right eye. After follow-up by the community-based worker he can now see very well from both eyes and hopefully drive his pikipiki and his passengers much more safely.