Our Work

Doctor Embongo removing a cataract from Hannah's eye

Doctor Embongo removing a cataract from Hannah's eye

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An eye opening trip

Sam Price, our Head of UK Community Relationships has just returned from Cameroon. Sam witnessed the impact of our work first hand when she visited Sightsavers' partners the Kumba and Limbe Regional Hospitals in the South West Province of the Country.

As a relatively new member of the Sightsavers' UK team, this was my first trip to see our work. It was a fascinating and inspiring visit during which I met some of Sightsavers' partners and many of the beneficiaries and the doctors and nurses who provide vital treatment.

In addition to the provision of eye care services such as optometry, low vision support and cataract surgery in each of the district hospitals in southwest Cameroon, Sightsavers also supports doctors and ophthalmic nurses to provide outreach services to screen and treat eye health problems in the community.

It was rewarding to hear first hand from Dr King, the Director of Limbe Regional Hospital, how highly he regards Sightsavers' community outreach approach.

"The Sightsavers model of taking health care to the community is a model which the whole health system can emulate and replicate in all its other services not only eye health. The Sightsavers programme is well organised and effective and it excites me to see the impact it has on our people."

My visit to Kumba Regional Hospital also reinforced how vital our support is in treating cataract. I had the privilege of spending time with Hannah, Lucy and Pauline before, during and after their cataract surgery. All older women, it was an honour to hear their stories, observe their surgery and to share their delight when the dressings were removed and they could see.

I was particularly moved by Pauline who told me that as a widow without children she had struggled to take care of herself before her surgery as she was unable to tend to her farm. Diagnosed with bi-lateral cataract (in both eyes), Pauline was almost totally blind and relied on gifts from her neighbours which she sold to buy food. Able to perceive only shadows and movement, Pauline was understandably overjoyed when the dressings were removed and she was able to read the letters on the third line on the sight chart. Ophthalmic nurse Florence Bebong explained that this was a "great success" and that Pauline's vision would be monitored as it continued to improve over the days and weeks to come.

Here is a photo film of my trip