Strengthening Eye Health in Ethiopia: The Enduring Partnership Between Cure Blindness Project and Jimma University
Cure Blindness Project has long been a trusted and impactful partner of Jimma University, working collaboratively to strengthen and expand eye care services and residency training in the region. Over the years, this partnership has focused on building human capacity, enhancing infrastructure, and extending high‑quality services to communities in need.
One of the most significant contributions has been the provision of fellowship training opportunities for ophthalmologists affiliated with Jimma University. Through this partnership, subspecialists have been trained in cornea, vitreoretina, pediatric ophthalmology, glaucoma, oculoplastics, and uveitis, with ongoing efforts to facilitate ocular oncology training as well. These training programs fill critical gaps in tertiary ophthalmic care and elevate the Residency Training Programs, ensuring that patients in and around Jimma have access to advanced and specialized services previously unavailable in the region.
The partnership has also contributed to strengthening residency training programs through practical, hands‑on training opportunities during Cure Blindness outreach activities, as well as through virtual and in‑person classroom instruction. Residents have also been supported to sit for the COECSA examination, contributing to higher professional standards and broader regional recognition of their competencies. Beyond tertiary‑level support, the collaboration extends into community‑based eye health initiatives.
Together, Jimma University and Cure Blindness Project have strengthened primary eye care services in surrounding districts and introduced School Eye Health Programs. These initiatives ensure early detection of vision problems among school‑aged children and provide spectacles and surgical care for those in need, helping prevent avoidable vision impairment from an early age.
Another important achievement of this partnership is the support extended to the Jimma Eye Bank, including training of skilled professionals both locally and abroad to ensure a sustainable and efficient eye banking system. This effort enhances access to corneal transplantation services for patients who require them.
