Our Work

Belize

With an estimated population of 333,200, Belize is located on the Caribbean coast of Central America. The country is divided into six districts (Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize District, Cayo, Stann Creek and Toledo). The priority eye diseases in Belize are glaucoma, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, uncorrected refractive errors and low vision.

Sightsavers partner, the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI), is a non-profit organisation which aims to improve the life of the Belizean population by maintaining the maximum visual capacity of all its citizens. This is achieved by provision of a comprehensive service which includes primary and secondary eye health services linked to rehabilitation and education for people with visual impairment, to enable them to make full use of their talents and abilities.

Sightsavers are working with BCVI to increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of the organisation. Our collaboration with BCVI, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and national health and education agencies has recently resulted in a National Eye Health Plan for Belize which will improve the availability and quality of services and increase awareness of the importance of eye health.

Together with our partners we have also helped write a national disability policy, introduced a literacy programme for people who are blind and conducted a pioneering research project into glaucoma - one of the five VISION 2020 priority diseases in the region.


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