Distributing Antibiotics to Prevent Blindness

Orbis’ mission to eliminate avoidable blindness in Ethiopia includes the distribution of an antibiotic, Zithromax, to individuals suffering from and at risk of trachoma. Trachoma is a painful bacterial infection which can develop into a condition in which eyelids turn inwards and eyelashes scrape the eyeball, causing great pain, corneal ulcers and permanent blindness.

Nasir brought one of his sons, Abdulmejid(6) to the Zithromax distribution clinic in First Mekala Kebele, where Abdulmejid was diagnosed with trachoma in both of his eyes. After speaking to the local health workers, Nasir returned home and brought his older son Geremu (9) to the clinic so that both of his sons could receive their dose of the antibiotic.

In the last 20 years, Orbis has distributed 44.5 million doses of the antibiotic, while in 2017 alone 1.1 million doses were distributed. A recent survey confirmed that no further distribution of antibiotics was required in ten of the 23 districts surveyed. This means that 1.2 million Ethiopians are no longer at risk of developing this devastating disease. This achievement ensures that future generations in these areas will not suffer from the physical or financial burden of trachoma.

Thanks to your generous support, Orbis can continue working to make sure everyone, everywhere, has access to the eye care they need.

An important part of Orbis’ work is making sure your donation has the biggest possible impact. To ensure this, Orbis carries out regular surveys to assess the impact of our interventions and help us make decisions about the future of the project.

As the saying goes, prevention is the best cure. The distribution of the antibiotic that treats trachoma, Zithromax, is crucial in our efforts to reduce blinding eye disease in southern Ethiopia. Trachoma is a bacterial infection that causes severe pain and, after repeated infections, can lead to permanent blindness. Orbis carries out surveys to assess the impact Zithromax has had on the trachoma rates of villages in southern Ethiopia.

In preparation for these surveys, Orbis identifies local eye health workers to help in carrying out the assessments. One such eye health expert is 32-year-old Hawlet Ibrahim, an ophthalmic nurse who has been working in the region for five years. Hawlet has previously proven her excellent skill and energetic character in various outreach programs organised by Orbis. She received basic training on grading and recording active trachoma and trachomatous trichiasis cases. Naturally, Hawlet passed the exam with flying colours.

‘‘It was a great opportunity for me to be part of this team as I learnt a lot from my teammates in the process of the successful survey we have been able to conduct’’ Hawlet said proudly.

The results of these surveys have been really promising! Your donations have ensured a reduction in the prevalence of this horrific blinding disease by up to 75%. Of the 2.2 million population in this region of southern Ethiopia where we work, almost half now live in trachoma free areas. None of this would have been possible without your valued support.