
The paediatric eye unit was inaugurated by Dr. Mekdes Daba, Minister of Health, alongside Dr. Dereje Duguma, State Minister, Mr. Niang Mbacke, CBM Global Director for Programme Development and Implementation, and Mr. Ottmar Heinen, Council Chairman of Lions Deutschland Multi District 111. Health professionals and organisations of persons with disabilities also attended the event.
Meeting a pressing need
Childhood blindness is a critical public health issue in Ethiopia. With more than 120 million people and only nine paediatric ophthalmologists—just four of whom are active—thousands of children risk losing their sight to preventable conditions like cataracts and glaucoma. This highlights a critical shortage of paediatric ophthalmologists, resulting in insufficient ophthalmological services for children.
Visual impairment also affects learning, development, and a child’s future.
In Ethiopia, while there are eye clinics available, there are not enough trained staff to meet the demand for eye care services, nor are there sufficient examination rooms equipped with the necessary technology. As a result of these shortcomings, only a limited number of operations, such as cataract, glaucoma, and strabismus surgeries, can be performed.