A QRCS volunteer checking the eyes of a patient.
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has launched a project to implement four anti-blindness and eye treatment camps for 1,200 poor people in Tillabéri, Niger, at a total cost of $146,897.
The project is executed by QRCS’s representation office in Niger, in coordination with Niger’s Ministry of Health (MoH), through the National Eye Disease Control Programme. It is aimed at reducing blindness and eye disease rates among the people of Tillaberi, by performing free-of-charge medical examinations and surgeries, distributing medicines and eyeglasses, and holding health education sessions to promote awareness on healthy eyes.
Under the project, the doctors are carrying out 1,200 medical examinations, performing 400 eye surgeries, distributing 1,000 prescriptions and 600 eyeglasses, and providing postprocedural medical care. The first camp has already been completed in Téra Department, Tillabéri, with 618 cataracts diagnosed and 504 surgeries performed.
Niger is suffering humanitarian crises as a result of surrounding conflicts; the impact of climatic change; widespread epidemics (like malaria, cholera, and meningitis), eye diseases, and blindness.
The country’s health sector is struggling, with many regions lacking health facilities and qualified medical professionals. People have to travel long distances to obtain the slightest health care services.
