Ethiopia

When Orbis began working in Ethiopia in 1998, there were only 54 ophthalmologists. There are now 255 ophthalmologists, saving sight across the country.

Thanks to our supporters, and the hard work and dedication of our local staff and program partners, in the past 24 years we played a leading role in:

• Delivering 100 million doses of the trachoma-fighting-antibiotic, azithromycin, in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region (SNNPR)
• Achieving the elimination threshold for trachoma in 48 districts across the SNNPR, as of 2021
• Conducting more than 217,000 trachomatous trichiasis surgeries
• Increasing cataract surgeries from 5,000 in 1995 to 72,000 by 2017 (by providing training and support, and helping introduce new techniques that are now adopted universally across the country)
• Helping establish 515 optometrists

When Orbis began working in Ethiopia in 1998, there were only 54 ophthalmologists. There are now 255 ophthalmologists, saving sight across the country.

• Delivering 100 million doses of the trachoma-fighting-antibiotic, azithromycin, in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region (SNNPR)
• Achieving the elimination threshold for trachoma in 48 districts across the SNNPR, as of 2021
• Conducting more than 217,000 trachomatous trichiasis surgeries
• Increasing cataract surgeries from 5,000 in 1995 to 72,000 by 2017 (by providing training and support, and helping introduce new techniques that are now adopted universally across the country)
• Helping establish 515 optometrists

With your continued support, we can implement a model for comprehensive rural eye care that addresses critical gaps through capacity building, healthcare technology and advocacy. We will train more community and health-care workers in all aspects of eye care, from awareness of services, identification, diagnosis, referral and treatment.

We will look to face the enormous challenge of trachoma in Ethiopia by implementing the World Health Organization’s SAFE strategy (eyelid surgery, antibiotics, face cleanliness and environmental improvement). We will continue to help reduce the risk of trachoma by training nurses to perform trichiasis surgeries at primary healthcare units and building awareness by teaching community health workers, teachers, local women’s group leaders and community leaders about eye health.

• Federal Ministry of Health
• The Charities and Societies Agency
• Regional Health, Education, Finance and Economic Development Bureau
• District level sector offices
• ICTC
• NCBP