|
The Pressing Need:
Nepal has made significant strides in reducing blindness, yet challenges persist:
As of 2020, approximately 6.8 million Nepalese suffer from vision loss, with 100,000 being completely blind.
The prevalence of blindness has dropped from 0.82% to 0.30% over the past two decades, showcasing progress but highlighting ongoing needs.
In some regions, blindness rates can reach up to 5.3%, particularly affecting older populations.
Key Objective:
To implement a comprehensive vision care project in Rohini Rural Municipality and Tilottama Municipality of Rupandehi District, Lumbini Province, Nepal, with the expectation to replicate this model in other municipalities of the Terai region of Nepal. This initiative builds on the very successful implementation and outstanding success of GG2237014 "Accessible Vision Care in Rural Nepal" in Phikkal and Golanjor rural municipalities of Sindhuli District, a hilly region of Nepal.
In Phikkal and Golanjor, we observed significant improvements:
1. Farmers' productivity increased after receiving eyeglasses
2. Students' pass percentages improved following eye checkups and prescreened eyeglasses
3. School attendance and academic results showed marked improvement
Given these positive outcomes, we realized a similar project is urgently needed in the Terai region, where poverty is prevalent and vision care facilities are poor or non-existent.
Implementation Strategies:
1. Establish Eye Clinics: Set up vision care centers within existing government health facilities in Rohini and Tilottama Municipalities.
2. Provide Immediate Relief: Distribute 5,282 free, high-quality prescription eyeglasses to address a significant portion of vision loss cases in the target areas.
3. Build Local Capacity: Train 10 health professionals and 41 Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) from the two municipalities.
4. Raise Awareness: Educate communities about eye health, crucial in a country where 80% of blindness is avoidable.
Implementation Timeline:
2 Months: Establish eye clinics, procure equipment and supplies
4 Months : Conduct training programs for health professionals and FCHVs
5 Months : Launch vision screening services and eyeglass distribution
6. Ongoing: Community outreach and awareness programs
Fund Utilization:
1. Equipment and supplies for eye clinics in Rohini and Tilottama Municipalities
2. Procurement of adjustable eyeglasses for distribution
3. Training materials and programs for local health workers
4. Community outreach and education initiatives
Impact and Sustainability
This project will significantly improve the quality of life for thousands of rural Nepalese citizens in Rohini and Tilottama Municipalities by:
1. Contributing to the ongoing reduction of avoidable blindness
2. Enhancing educational and economic opportunities for those with corrected vision
3. Building long-term local capacity for ongoing eye care services
4. The success of this project in Rohini and Tilottama will serve as a model for replication in other municipalities across the Terai region, potentially impacting a much larger population over time.
5. By investing in this initiative, donors will contribute to a sustainable solution that addresses a critical health need, empowers local communities, and aligns with global efforts to combat visual impairment. Our project builds upon the successful Rotary- Local government partnership model that has driven Nepal's progress in eye care facilities.
7. Join us in illuminating the lives of those in rural Nepal - your support can help clear the vision of entire communities, opening up a world of possibilities for those who have long lived in the blur.
| 
