By Sophia Webb | Intern, Orbis Ireland
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.
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