Articles

GONDAR, ETHIOPIA

Where?
Gondar, Ethiopia

Project Objective
There are 10,000 blind people (and 250 blind children) for every one million population in Ethiopia. Over three quarters of this is curable or preventable and due to three conditions. One of these is the sticky fly born conjunctivitis seen in its earliest stages in children. Another is Vitamin A deficiency. The third is cataract blindness of which there are estimated to be 350,000 cases in Ethiopia with perhaps 20,000 in the Gondar region and Simien Mountains.

There are not enough eye surgeons in Ethiopia and Gondar University is being supported to run BSc courses to train nurses in cataract surgery and prevention of eye disease. It is unrealistic to think we can immediately raise the £300,000 to build the new University eye unit and teaching centre, but there is always something that can be done towards this. But in particular we will be seeking to support peripheral eye units from where those who have been trained can work. These units will need medical supplies, microscopes, books and transport.

Who is Involved?
Exodus has joined Dr Sandy Holt-Wilson, a UK ophthalmologist who has been involved with Gondar University Eye Department since the year 2000, in order to help blind people in Ethiopia. Gondar (Ethiopia) Eye Surgery [GEES] has undertaken to support the University. Exodus has undertaken to support GEES.

Current Project and Targets
Continued pay a lecturer at the University a monthly sum.
Dialogue with the University Head of Department about trying to get their students to take an interest in eye projects away from the Uni eg in Debark, as part of their training.
ushing on with is the agreement of the Govt and ‘Powers That Be’ to spell out the job that is in their 5 Year Plan which would enable someone to be appointed who would start to develop eye clinics across the Simiens, develop in terms of personnel and equipment.