The VISION 2020 LINKS Programme was launched to help address the shortage of trained eye health workers in Africa.  In a LINK, an African eye department is matched with a UK eye department in long term partnership to train the whole eye care team to deliver better quality care to their patients. We are raising money to help sustain the programme.

Through the VISION 2020 LINKS Programme measurable differences are being made to eye health training and service provision in Africa. To date 25 LINKS partnerships have been established. Money raised will ensure 2-3 new UK-Africa partnerships are started each year and continued training, development and support to eye care teams and ultimately enhancing quality of care to patients.

Find out more about the VISION 2020 LINKS Programme.

Societal benefits of the VISION 2020 LINKS Programme

 

The benefits of the LINKS Programme are felt not only individually but also by society. In sub-Saharan Africa children are orphaned by AIDS and need to be cared for by their grandparents. For many older people, a cataract operation enables them to do this. With cost-effective interventions like cataract surgery, there are enormous benefits to society. Indeed, cataract surgery has been identified as one of the most highly cost effective interventions that can be offered in the developing world.

 

A success story

 

Five years ago a LINKS programme was started between Blantyre, Malawi and Glasgow. Previously there were no recognised children’s eye services in Malawi. Children born blind could be referred to South Africa, but this was beyond the reach of the vast majority of families. The majority of blind children stayed blind.

 

Gerald Msukwa, the opthathmologist in Blanytre was trained through the LINK with Glasgow to operate on children with cataract and his staff were trained in anaesthetics, children’s eye testing etc. 125 children in 2010, 188 children in 2011 and 190 children in 2012, previously blind from cataract had their sight restored by Gerald and his team. This LINK programme also trained eye assistants throughout the country to find, diagnose, treat or refer children with eye conditions to the team in Blantyre.

 

Thank you all for your support.

 

Marcia, Claire, Nick, Anita (VISION 2020 LINKS Programme team)