Post on 10-Feb-2017
transcript
When Outreach Isn’t EnoughThe Success and Failure of Eye Camps in India
Harshita YerramreddyAdvisor: Anastasia KarakasidouWith help of: Connor Orrico, Dr. Tamilsaran Senthil, Vineet Raman
31 Million People Are Blind.⅔ of those people are women.
31M people are blind.
285 M are visually impaired.Those who are blind are 90% less likely to work.They are 3x as likely to enter poverty.Die an average of 15-20 years younger than their peers.
but...80% of blindness is preventable or treatableCataracts can be treated with a 10-minute, $50 surgery
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs282/en/
WHAT’S A CATARACT? $50
http://www.fleye.com/images/normal-eye--cataract.jpg
WOMEN AND BLINDNESSWomen represent 2 of every 3 blind people in the world.Account for 67% of all people with visual problemsBut women utilize eye care services 40% less than men
Why?
Gender inequality.● Gender disparities in education level
and socioeconomic status● Cultural gender roles and power
differentials
BARRIERS TO HEALTHCARE
● Financial implications of medical care, transportation, and lost wages
● Fear● Local beliefs or customs● Misperceptions about blindness● Distance from clinics
Unite for Sight’s Impact: ● 2.1 M patients served● 94,530 sight-restoring
surgeries completed● Outcomes, not outputs
○ Continuation of patient care pre- and post-op
My Impact: ● 1,500 patients● > 500 pairs of reading glasses● 45 surgeries
IMPACT
Not all global health organizations are the same.
Patients crumpling up cataract prescription upon leaving● Lack of adherence● Barriers to healthcare that we couldn’t help with
Communication barriers● Language & Culture
Wealthy/middle-class people taking the free glasses● Reach out to the communities
that need it the most
WHAT DIDN’T WORK?
● Volunteers○ Extensive training
● Doctors and Clinic Staff○ Paperwork and accounting
for each patient
● Patients pay a nominal fee○ Increases adherence
ACCOUNTABILITY
● Run by local clinics year-round● Not dependent on volunteers● Support from local NGOs
○ Lions Club○ Sight Care Foundation
SUSTAINABILITY
Get involved!
Become a Unite for Sight Global Impact FellowWellesley Unite for Sight ChapterAttend Global Health & Innovation Conference
April 22-23, Yale University
Thank you!