Help flows to Ghana in fight against river blindness
Around 3.2 million people in Ghana are at risk of River Blindness.
About the project
Vital drug treatment is being delivered to fight River Blindness in Ghana’s eastern region communities – in a Seeing is Believing project with partners Sightsavers International.
River Blindness – or onchocerciasis - can be prevented by a simple treatment with the drug Mectizan, to protect against the disease and save the eyesight of millions of people in need.
Blindness affects 1% of Ghana’s people. Cataract is the main cause – and more than 10,500 people are waiting for sight-restoring cataract surgery. But glaucoma, childhood blindness – and River Blindness, are also rife in West Africa.
Many more people suffer eye diseases such as corneal ulcers, eye trauma, and low-vision from short or long sightedness.
Our project aims to eliminate River Blindness as a major public health problem – and provide a comprehensive range of eye care services in the region. The work includes the distribution of Mectizan – and training for local health care workers.
By the end of our project we will have:
- Provided sight-restoring procedures and other eye care treatments
- Integrated all eye care into existing health facilities including referral hospitals, district hospitals and health centres.
Other projects in Ghana
“Ghana is a country where the population suffers from many infectious diseases,therefore eye care problems are not always treated as a priority.”Caroline Harper, CEO, Sightsavers International.
- Period
- 2007 - 2009
- Partner
- Sightsavers International