Report on the eye camp at Jinka, Southern Omo Valley, Ethiopia

July 20-29th 2008

The main focus was treating bilateral treatable blindness among nomad tribes of South Omo zone, mainly Hamarwarada, Dasenech Warada, Benatsemey Warada, and Nyangato Warada. The main tribes were Hamar, Mursi, Bume and Ari tribes. During the camp we evaluated over 300 patients in jinka hospital and also in the field trip. We found trachoma, corneal blindness and cataracts to be the most relevant blinding diseases.

Surgical treatment was given to over 300 patients:

• 246 cataract surgeries were prformed by 2 opthlmologists (9 surgical days using 2 microscopes), out of which 15 were paediatric patients. <18 under GA and LA.
• 8 visually significant pteygiums were excised.
• 3 corneo-conjunctival mass were removed.
• 2 foreign bodies were removed fromsclera.
• 43 trichiasis surgeries (BTR or PTR) were performed by an opthalmic officer.
• Over 1000 patients got medical treatment; for the poor it was for free.
• More than 50 people were given prescriptions for glasses.

Other achievements

1. Health education awareness was established widely.
2. The Zonal President mae and promised to assist and allocate budget for the establishment of an eye unit, including purchase of a slit lamp.
3. The opthalmic nurse will continue to get on going support from EFA and professional support from IBZ.
4. Eyes for Africa have donated a microscope and surgical instruments for the new eye unit.
5. Other equipment such as a keratometer and a scan, will be shipped to Ethiopia shortly.
6. Plans are being made for training opthalmic eye care professionals.

Future plans

Eyes for Africa want to continue support to support eye camps, hopefully twice a year, including the use of a phaco machine and are involved in improving eye care services in South Omo region.

This camp was the FIRST EVER to be conducted in the South Omo region.

Budget

We would like to thank everyone who has donated their time and money to make this camp so successful.

• Alcon for their lenses
• Greg Defries, for drapes.
• Reg Quaife for the keratometer
• Victoria parade surgical services for $1000 donation towards airfare.
• CBM for microscope and Ascan
• Zeiss for the loan of a portable microscope.