German First Lady to Oversee CBM’s 100-Year Anniversary Campaign

"I am impressed by this project and the great dedication of project staff," said Eva Luise Köhler, the wife of the German Federal President Horst Köhler, during a visit to the CBM-supported "Fundación Visión", located in Asunción, the capital of Paraguay.

The German Federal President and his wife travelled to South America, and Eva Luise Köhler informed herself about the most significant causes of blindness in Paraguay and the work of CBM in blindness prevention.

"I know the work of Christoffel-Blindenmission well and appreciate their efforts, as well as other projects I have seen. I am very impressed that CBM has been active for 100 years now. I am glad take on the patronage for CBM’s 100-year anniversary in 2008 in Germany."

CBM-ophthalmologist Dr. Rainald Duerksen stressed that the number of cataract operations performed in Paraguay still does not meet the needs in the country. Cataracts are the most common cause of blindness, but many poor people cannot afford an operation at the cost of 30 Euros, to correct the problem. With the financial and technical support of CBM, a countrywide blindness prevention programme was established, which identifies patients and refers them to mobile and fixed clinics of the foundation—in Asunción and so far in three other places in the country.

Thanks to a staggered fees system, which offers an operation to poor people free of charge; modern equipment; and well educated professionals, the foundation was able to reach 57,000 patients in the last year and more than 40% of all cataract operations in the country.

Dr. Duerksen explained in depth about the dramatic increase in retinopathy of prematurely born children in Latin America. With the help of regular and in-time surveys, blindness from ROP could be prevented. Countrywide, more than 400 children per year would need to be examined. However, the country lacks centres where patients could be diagnosed, and not all hospitals open their doors to the foundation to offer screening and treatment free of charge. Maria Gloria Penayo de Duarte, the wife of Paraguay’s President Nicanor de Duarte, who accompanied Eva Luise Köhler, was appalled to learn about this and promised to lead a countrywide prevention of blindness programme together with "Fundación Visión".

Eva Luise Köhler inaugurated a new eye clinic immediately after its first construction stage had been completed. With the new building, the foundation has enough space and can leave its previous premises, which had been located all over the town. "Congratulations to this impressive new building," said Köhler. "I hope that the caring atmosphere that could be felt in the old rooms will unfold further in the new premises."

Read more: The Eye Clinic of Fundacion Visíon