Freetown: In a concerted push to reduce avoidable blindness, Choithram International Foundation and Noor Dubai Foundation, a member of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, working in coordination with Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health, has embarked on a sweeping three-year cataract outreach programme.
According to Emirates News Agency, the programme teams up with Choithram Memorial Hospital in Freetown and is boosted by the proven expertise of India’s Choithram Netralaya (Eye Hospital). It aims to reduce the prevalence of avoidable blindness in the West African nation. A 2021 Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness study revealed that 5.4% of Sierra Leoneans aged 50 and above suffer from blindness, affecting more than 43,000 individuals. The leading cause, untreated cataracts, accounts for nearly 60% of cases, yet less than a third of those affected receive effective surgical intervention. Further, deep gender-based disparities exist for both coverage and surgical outcomes.
Over the next three
years, an estimated 60,000 screenings and 6,000 cataract surgeries will be performed, offering thousands the chance to regain their sight and with it, renewed opportunities for work and a better quality of life. Beyond immediate relief, the programme takes a long-term view, with Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health sending two ophthalmologists and four nurses each month to re-train under the specialists from Choithram Netralaya. The effort underscores the urgency of addressing avoidable blindness and the need to cultivate local expertise that will sustain eye care in the years to come.
Dr. Manal Taryam, CEO of Noor Dubai Foundation, stated the initiative aims to empower communities by eliminating avoidable blindness and strengthening local ophthalmic capacity for long-term impact. She acknowledged the role of UAE’s private-public partnerships in bringing relief to communities in need. L.T. Pagarani, Chairman of Choithrams Group, praised the UAE leadership for fostering a spirit of outreach and humanitarian supp
ort. He emphasized the long-term commitment to ensuring sustainable social and economic impact for the people of Sierra Leone.
Choithram Netralaya of India brings deep expertise to the initiative, which is designed with patients at its core. Logistics have been carefully mapped out: Choithram Memorial Hospital will coordinate transport to and from the facility, eliminating cost and distance as barriers. To ensure accessibility, patients will receive a per diem covering meals, lodging, and transport during their three-day stay in Freetown for surgery. Upon discharge, medication will be provided free of charge, smoothing the path to recovery. Crucially, post-operative care will be available at district hospitals, allowing patients to receive ongoing support without having to travel far from home.
To ensure that the programme delivers lasting impact, researchers Dr. Gabriel Osei-Anokye and Dr. Ving Fai Chan from Queen’s University Belfast, in collaboration with the research team of Noor Dubai Foundation, are c
onducting a comprehensive evaluation. The evaluation will assess the effectiveness of the cataract surgery outreach programme in improving vision, enhancing quality of patient care, and delivering broader socioeconomic benefits. Drawing on their expertise in global health and eyecare, the evaluation team will generate data-driven insights to improve future outreach efforts and enhance the sustainability of cataract treatment programmes in Sierra Leone and globally.