Since our first in-country partnership in 2008, together with our partners, we have accomplished the following:
sight-restoring surgeries completed
people received eye screenings and basic treatment
Ophthalmic Nurses trained in medical management and referral of cornea care, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma
training opportunities to ophthalmic personnel working at all levels of eye care
In Ethiopia, an estimated 1.6 million people are blind, many due to untreated cataracts.
HCP’s first partnership in Ethiopia developed in 2008 with Dr. Tilahun Kiros, head ophthalmologist of the Quiha Zonal Hospital in Mekelle, during cataract campaigns with the Millennium Villages Project and Quiha Zonal Hospital that provided 630 surgeries.
Work begins with first partners in Ethiopia
HCP partners with the Eye Bank of Ethiopia to help build in-country capacity to provide quality eye care
Targeted skill transfer courses for corneal surgeons in Ethiopia started
Signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to reduce the backlog of treatable blindness in Ethiopia by doubling the number of cataract surgeries performed in the country
Establishes a country office with 13 full-time members
Eye Bank of Ethiopia wins 2020 P3 Impact Award for its role in curing blindness
Breaks ground on the Specialty Eye Center in Bahir Dar. The site is selected due to its proximity to the largest number of Ethiopians with the highest rate of blindness.
Signs a second Memorandum of Understanding with MOH to integrate eye care into rural primary health care by providing training, capacity development and supplies to primary eye care units (PECUs) in rural areas of Oromia, South Western and Amhara. HCP hires one full time project manager with a specialty in policy and advocacy to be based in Addis.
HCP Cureblindness is the first NGO to operate in Tigray after a multi-year armed conflict. A surgical outreach completes 1,570 sight-restoring surgeries.
Today, HCP works with 19 implementing partners and a volunteer network of committed collaborators as well as a dedicated country office. Our 2023 acquisition of SightLife, International, an organization dedicated to addressing corneal disease, expands our reach and magnifies our impact further.
Addis Ababa Region
Amhara Region
Oromia Region
Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region
Tigray Region
National
Cure Blindness Project
T: 888-287-8530
F: 802-649-1041
[email protected]
PO Box 863
Norwich, VT 05055
USA
What is this?
The Himalayan Cataract Project (dba Cure Blindness Project) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; Tax ID 03-0362926. Your gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Principal photography provided by Ace Kvale, Michael Amendolia, and other photojournalists who have generously supported our work. Site design and development by Flannel
