QRCS launches four eye surgery camps for 1,200 patients in Niger

Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has launched a project to implement four anti-blindness and eye treatment camps for 1,200 poor people in Tillabéri, Niger, at a total cost of $146,897. The project is executed by QRCS’ representation office in Niger, in coordination with Niger’s Ministry of Health (MOH), through the National Eye Disease Control Programme. It aims to reduce blindness and eye disease rates among the people of Tillaberi by performing free-of-charge medical examinations and surgeries, distributing medicines and eyeglasses, and holding health education sessions to promote awareness on healthy eyes. Under the project, the doctors are carrying out 1,200 medical examinations, performing 400 eye surgeries, distributing 1,000 prescriptions and 600 eyeglasses, and providing postprocedural medical care. The first camp has already been completed in Téra Department, Tillabéri, with 618 cataracts diagnosed and 504 surgeries performed. Niger is suffering humanitarian crises as a result of surrounding conflicts; the impact of climatic change; widespread epidemics (like malaria, cholera, and meningitis), eye diseases, and blindness. The country’s health sector is struggling, with many regions lacking health facilities and qualified medical professionals. People have to travel long distances to obtain the slightest health care services. QRCS has past experience in implementing eye treatment camps in Niger, including a project to combat blindness and eye diseases for schoolchildren in Maradi (2012), an eye camp for the people of Zinder (2013), and a project to combat eye diseases through awareness and early detection (2016-2018). Together, these projects had a total cost of $464,838.