Objectives
The aim of the Rotary Club of Guildford Eye Project is to serve the avoidably blind by providing assessment camps, surgical equipment and surgeon training, such that free eye operations and treatment can be provided to those in developing countries who are too poor to afford the treatment themselves.
Background
The Eye Project was founded in 1998 by eye surgeon and ophthalmic consultant Dr Sam Das in conjunction with its other Trustees, all of whom are members of Guildford Rotary Club.
There are 40 million avoidably blind worldwide, of which 15 million are in India, 3 million being in the Kolkata area.
It is an integral part of the charity’s ethos that the land and building required for hospitals and clinics in the areas of need are provided by local support. This is effectively the local Rotary Clubs who organize and administer these medical centres. A proportion of the cost of equipment, and of operations is also required to be funded locally. This means that there is an ongoing enthusiasm for the success of the project locally, and because all funding from foreign sources is processed from Rotary Club to Rotary Club there are no administrative costs to be deducted.
This results in a unit cost per operation of up to 65% less than comparable organisations. The equipment provided is typically microscopes for examination and for operations, laser units, ophthalmoscopes and the like.
Hospitals/Clinics
As of 2012 thirty hospitals/clinics have been established in the West Bengal region of India with support also being provided to several other eye clinics in other parts of India. All of these are supervised and overseen by suitably qualified local Rotarians.
The declared aim of the charity is for all facilities to eventually become self financing. A primary source of income is derived from the provision of private eye operations to wealthier patients. This ‘business model’ is now being extended to the charity’s first eye hospital in Nigeria which opened in 2012.
The first ten eye surgeons working in India were trained in the UK through Rotary GSE Projects while the African eye surgeons were trained with support from Indian Rotarians and their Rotary Clubs. All surgeons commit not only to working primarily in the Rotary facilities, but also to train incoming surgeons thereby increasing the medical skills base available.
The facilities in India as of 2012 are providing 250,000 free eye examinations and in excess of 40,000 free eye operations per year.
The Rotary Club of Guildford Eye Project provides:
Training for eye surgeons
Microscopes and laser equipment etc
‘Eye’ buses
Hospital transport
Mobile eye screening camps
Facilities primarily for the treatment of cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment & diabetic retinopathy.
The charity’s 2011 target is to establish 50 further eye hospitals by 2020 thereby providing facilities for 100,000 cataract operations per annum!
How Can Rotary Help?
This is a charity inspired, founded and administered by Rotarians, and as such is unique in the provision of eye treatment to the avoidably blind.
The Eye Project is currently appointing volunteer Ambassadors for every RIBI District in order to raise awareness and increase support for its work. There is no requirement to be from a medical background and the request is simply to ‘do what you can’. Full support will be provided. Please contact John Miles for further details.
Every Rotarian can assist by raising awareness of the Eye Project within Rotary and their local community.
Rotarians can provide further support by holding fundraising events such as marking World Sight Day each October.
By deploying Rotary Foundation Matching Grants a £5 donation can evolve into the £15 cost of a sight restoring cataract operation.
Active Rotary promotion of this charity will reflect favourably not only upon the Eye Project itself, but also upon Rotary generally by raising its profile in the hearts and minds of the public at large.
Speakers, educational and publicity material are available to all RIBI Rotarians.
The Eye Project provides maximum effect for minimum cost!
The project’s registered charity number is: 1127630.
For online donations and updates: www.guildfordrotaryeyeproject.org.uk
Contact for further information:
Rtn Samar Das MBE, 11, Levylsdene, Guildford, Surrey. GU1 2RS.
01483 536706
Rtn John Miles
192, Alexandra Gardens, Woking. GU21 2DW
01483 481856