Our Work

All in a day's work. Dr Anselmo outside the Nacula District Hospital. © Riccardo Gangale / Sightsavers

All in a day's work. Dr Anselmo outside the Nacula District Hospital. © Riccardo Gangale / Sightsavers

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Making a difference

Dr Anselmo Vilanculos, Head Ophthalmologist at Nampula Central Hospital, tells us about his work and the desperate need for eye care in his country.

"There are many challenges and huge needs. The first is staff. Nampula province has four million people. According to the World Health Organization's recommendations for Africa (one ophthalmologist for every 500,000 people) we should have at least eight ophthalmologists serving this population, but I am alone. There is also a huge need for equipment.

Sightsavers has provided a lot, but it is still not enough. I can only do surgeries two days a week because I share the theatre with other surgeons. If we had our own surgery room we'd be able to attend to more cases.

 

'My work is rewarding. I have seen people dancing for joy following their surgery!'

"My work is rewarding. I have seen people dancing for joy following their surgery! Some people pray, giving thanks to God, expressions of happiness impossible to describe in words. It makes me proud that I helped that person, and they were able to return to their families and communities so joyfully. But some people come to the hospital too late, when the problem is at an advanced stage and there is nothing that can be done.

 

We need to teach the population about the importance of eye health. When they have a problem with their eyes they go to the traditional healers. Only when this fails do they come to the hospital.

It is important for Sightsavers and their partners to know that they bring such concrete results to the people's quality of life. The government believes eye care is important, but they have other priorities. Only by partnering with Sightsavers can we find the solutions."

At the age of 14 Dr. Anselmo, the son of a farmer, was identified as a gifted student and selected for training abroad. He became one of the hundreds of children earmarked for greatness in line with President Samora Moises Machel's philosophy that ‘children are the future'. He was sent to Cuba to complete his secondary and university education. When his medical training was complete Dr. Anselmo moved to Haiti where he met and married his wife.

He decided to return home shortly after the birth of his first child five years ago. He has a strong sense of gratitude for the opportunity he was given to study abroad as a child, and hopes to leave a permanent legacy of improved eye care for the people of Mozambique.