Vision First for surgery patients in Ghana

We celebrated in Ghana by literally putting Vision First! Our partner hospital, Watborg Eye Services, conducted 305 eye surgeries as part of the celebration, as well as screening for eye problems at Watborg and Saltpond Government Hospital. We also held a media briefing and an eye health promotion, which was well attended by 12 local media houses.

The national launch of WSD was held at Chapel Square, in Ghana’s Cape Coast. In attendance were heads of local departments and agencies, representatives of eye NGOs, and the Regional Director of Ghana Health Service – Central Region, Dr. Alexis Beifubah. As part of the event, Dr. Beifubah presented Operation Eyesight with an award for our contributions to eye health and for organizing activities during WSD 2019.

Clean glasses in Calgary, Canada

In Calgary, we took to downtown’s Stephen Avenue to raise awareness and remind people to put Vision First, joined by volunteers from Encana Corporation. Together, we handed out 1,000 eyeglass cleaning cloths, wished even more people a happy World Sight Day, and reminded everyone to book an eye exam. Canadians might not share the same challenges to eye health as people in other places around the world, but avoidable blindness will only be eliminated when everyone is empowered to take care of their eye health!

Vision First in 22 communities in India

In collaboration with our partners Nepal Eye Hospital, Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya and Bansara Eye Care Centre, we celebrated WSD by declaring a total of 22 villages free of avoidable blindness. The declaration ceremony was attended by government officialsand stakeholders, and was covered by local print and digital media. Also, our Country Manager for India, Anup Zimba, participated in a walkathon organized by Vision 2020 in Jaipur, along with 700 others.

Outreach puts Vision First in Kenya

In Kenya, we put Vision First by conducting an outreach event to provide eye care services to people in Kirinyaga Country, where we’ve implemented our Hospital-Based Community Eye Health Program model in 150 villages. The result was 36 cataract surgeries and 182 people receiving treatment for different eye issues.

There was also education to emphasize the need to prioritize eye health, especially for women who are often too busy with farm work to seek eye health care. The message to everyone who received outreach was simple – make time to get your eyes screened and treated. That will help everyone lead more healthy and productive lives.

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