We work to overcome barriers impeding delivery of cataract care to underserved, needlessly blind people in the developing world. At the core of our work is our goal to achieve high-quality, low-cost eye care that can be sustained in the developing world for the long-term.
In 2015, HCP and its partners provided more than 940,000 screenings and performed more than 83,000 surgeries across Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. In order to strengthen and grow eye care systems in these regions, HCP has also been providing education and training. Since 2005, HCP has trained over 300 ophthalmic personnel from 19 countries. Read more about our global efforts in our 2016 Annual Report (PDF 2.1 MB).
11,296,000
10
27,797,000
362,100
427,622
34,337
1,252,140,000
229,340, 468
9,394,168
754,000
77,086
2,023
53,259,000
0.58%*
60
* tremendous regional variation
1,393,337,000
5,000,000 (18% of world's total)
50
400,000
249,866,000
3,600,000
70
120,000
25,905,000
105,000
21,000
91,729,000
1,280,00
50
49,253,000
300,000
50
37,579,000
1,000,000
40
173,615,000
4,250,000
43
16,363,000
473,600
160,000
1 : 1,000,000
11,777,000
30,000
65
“Gift of Sight” is an independent documentary that features HCP co-founder Dr. Sanduk Ruit with a trainee from Indonesia as they visit communities paralyzed by preventable blindness and work to restore sight, and more importantly hope.
WatchWorking with ophthalmic staff at 10 hospitals and clinics in seven regions across the country, HCP and its partners are developing a robust eye care delivery system that is making great strides in eliminating avoidable blindness in Ethiopia.
WatchHCP’s partnership with Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ghana, gained significant momentum in 2014 when a new eye unit was formally inaugurated.
ReadThe Himalayan Cataract Project has been working with the Royal Government of Bhutan for 15 years to expand its system of eye care. In 2014, one ophthalmologist and two ophthalmic nurses completed a four-week course in cataract surgery at Tilganga, and Dr. Phuntsho Dorji completed his second year of residency. Dr. Robert Hoffman returned to Bhutan for his annual mentoring trip to work with Dr. Dechen Wangmo on pediatrics cases and provide care to children in schools for the blind.
ReadHCP efforts in India have gradually expanded to include training and equipment support for programs in three regions. The Jamgon Kongtrul Eye Centre in Kalimpong provides primary eye care to patients from the Darjeeling District. Its central mission is to provide care to the thousands of patients across the region who cannot afford it.
WatchCataract blindness occurs at a higher rate among the population of Myanmar than in most parts of the world, representing 60% of all cases.
ReadIn 2009, Dr. Geoff Tabin conducted several mobile eye clinics in rural Rwanda. Serac Adventure Films followed the story of one of the patients — a young girl whose life was transformed overnight.
WatchOur doctors have performed more than 445,000 cataract surgeries in the developing world through walk-in clinics and high-volume, improvised mobile eye camps. Some 18 million needlessly-blind cataract patients still await care, most of them with no place to turn.
The Himalayan Cataract Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Principal photography provided by Ace Kvale, Michael Amendolia, and other photojournalists who have generously supported our work.
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