ORDA CBM project aggressively working on to control blindness!

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The national Survey on blindness, low vision and trachoma in Ethiopia by the Federal Ministry of Health (2006) stated that eye problems have been recognized worldwide as one of the major public health problems, particularly in developing countries where 90% of the blind live. International actions to prevent avoidable blindness have been gaining momentum over the last decade. According to the WHO about 37 million people are blind and 124 million people have low vision worldwide. VISION 2020: The Right to Sight is a global initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) in collaboration with international non-governmental organizations launched in 1999 with the aim of eliminating the major causes of avoidable blindness by the year 2020. About 75% of all blindness worldwide is avoidable and is mainly caused by cataract and trachoma. 

Ethiopia is believed to have one of the world’s highest rates of blindness and low vision. However recent data were lacking to accurately determine the magnitude of eye problems in the country. Amhara region (Amhara 62.6% vs National 40.1%) is also considered as one of the severity areas where the problem is worsened. The Federal Ministry of Health & the Regional Health Bureau along with several non-governmental organizations are working in various parts of the country on blindness prevention and control programs focusing mainly on cataract surgery and trachoma control through the SAFE Strategy (surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness and environmental improvement).

Organization for Rehabilitation and Development in Amhara (ORDA) is striving to fill in the gaps in the region's social and economic development and is doing a number of significant contributions. Hence, a few projects are working to prevent blindness and create productive citizens. ORDA, funded by the Italian & Canadian governments of more than 46 million birr, has been supporting Amhara Trachoma Control Program /ATCP/ in 40 intervention kebeles of  Sekota and Gazgibela woredas of Waghemera Zone, Raya Kobo & Dessie Zuria woredas of North Wollo and South Wollo Zones respectively. Thus, the project constructed 253 SPD & HDPs (water points) and benefited 50,600 people for potable water.  Over 250 thousand people have been well aware of hygienic and sanitation practices. The project has possibly saved the eye vision of many people with regard to trachoma treatment. More than 9, 232 people were screened and 3, 670 people were treated with eye droplets & antibiotics and the rest 3, 439 with TT surgery.  

ORDA CBM is trying to eliminate preventable blindness caused by a contagious bacterial infection which affects the conjunctival covering of the eye, the cornea, and the eyelids. It is often associated with poverty and lack of proper hygiene. Trachoma is caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria and is essentially totally preventable and curable.

036 residents of Guguftu kebele is located 46 kilometers far from Dessie town used to fetch water from a small river called Washa Gidibu. Lack of options for safe drinking water in the nearby obliged villagers to use the river sharing together with animals. Residents waste their time and energy to get water for many years. Furthermore, eye & water-borne diseases have been a serious problem in the area. ORDA in collaboration with CBM developed a spring water to benefit for 120 households of the kebele. Among others, w/ro Shiberie Ahmed is married and the mother of 2 children are among those who benefit from the project. W/ro Shibirie claimed "ORDA’s provision of trainings made us keep clean and improved our health situations. Surgical operation has been done to those neighboring people who are screened trachoma. I’m grateful to ORDA that it changed our lives in many ways, such as, delivering potable water, animal trough and laundry tub at our village. " 

A51-year-old farmer Ahmad Mekonen who lives in Asgedo 019 kebele is father of 7 children.  While health extension professionals who were trained on how to screen out & treat trachoma victims visiting their village, this adult farmer hasn’t given attention to them. His eyes were weeping for long.  Then, his critical eye problem obliged him for surgery under Dessie Zuria Health Office at Asgedo Healh Center. He is now able to see perfect and started writing and reading. Farmer Ahmed also carries out agricultural activities without any sight problem.

W/ro Meseret Awota, who has 5 children, lives in Sekota Zuria 017 kebele Ekilwa village.  This woman said, "ORDA is highly engaged with our lives. Before this spring potable water is constructed, we used to fetch it travelling on foot to a 2 hours journey in a river called “Giba”. Our daughters were forced to fetch water. Most often, they were late to school. The poor & unclean river water that we/villagers shared it with animals exposed us for cholera and other water born diseases." They currently have access to clean water to prevent trachoma and other diseases. The training changed their attitude to properly use fuel efficient stoves, shelves and latrines. 

In general, so far, the project has a significant role in improving the life of targeted beneficiaries. In those intervention districts, health professionals trained a new skill on screening & treating trachoma. Beneficiaries got better access to clean water and latrine use which helped them aware of hygiene and sanitation activities.