There are 50 million people globally who are desperately in need of eye care but are too poor to access the medical services they need. 80% are in need of what is normally a straight forward cataract operation.
There are 50 million people globally who are desperately in need of eye care but are too poor to access the medical services they need. 80% are in need of what is normally a straightforward cataract operation.
We establish specialist eye care hospitals in the developing world which provide free eye care to the poorest people on the planet. These facilities transform the lives of those they serve and restore their independence.
We have traditionally raised funds primarily from service organisations and have augmented that revenue by the astute use of available grants. Because all involved are currently volunteers we can completely surgically equip a new eye hospital for £50,000 and provide funding for 3000 cataract operations for less than £40,000. Available grants can reduce these costs sevenfold.
We also provide training for eye surgeons, hospital transport, mobile eye screening camps plus the treatment of glaucoma, retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy and of course cataracts.
We form partnerships via Trusts and MOU's with sympathetic local organisations who administer each hospital.
We insist that each unit develops its own income and therefore eventually becomes independent of the need for external funding.
Together with our local partners we jointly fund each enterprise until financial equilibrium is achieved.
None of the existing 36 hospitals have taken more than seven years to achieve financial independence.
We currently carry out over 750,000 eye assessments each year and expect to provide 100,000 cataract operations over the next 12 months.
To provide more hospitals we need to increase our income and therefore now need to add to our skill base several suitably experienced individuals who can help drive us towards achieving our goals.
At present we raise awareness and therefore funds by having a presence at relevant Conferences where we provide speakers and promotional material. Additionally we provide speakers for meetings and seminars.
We occasionally organise fundraising events and have recently began a presence on social media.
To expand our work and meet the growing humanitarian demand we now recognise the need to seek support from the world of commerce and the general public by adding to our skill base those who are experienced in working in these various associated fields.