Distributing Antibiotics to Prevent Blindness

Meselech is a 20 year old student at the local school in Gereshe, southern Ethiopia.  

Her village has been part of the Orbis Mass Antibiotic Distribution Programme for three years now. At first, people were unsure of the benefit of the drug or if it was safe. However, after Orbis worked with community leaders, Community Health Workers and traditional healers the benefits of the antibiotics were made clear. After the second and third doses the community themselves could feel the benefit.

The distribution of antibiotics is just one of the four components of the World health Organisation's SAFE strategy which is recommended to eliminate the blinding eye disease, trachoma. 

Meselech is positive towards the antibiotic (zithromax) and about the fact that her village has the opportunity to take it. She and all her family have taken all three doses.

The first round had a 81% uptake, second 86% and the third 96%.

In line with distributing the antibiotic, Orbis is also conducting corrective surgery to reverse the effects of blinding trachoma; raising awareness of the importance of facial cleanliness to prevent the bacteria which causes the infection; and improving the surrounding environment through access to clean water and sanitation.  

Meselech says: “We know that the drug is not everything. Whether we take it or not we have to wash our face and hands and use latrines. We are also more aware of the health centre services available and we demand a good level of service from the centre and from our local government.

“Before Orbis we didn’t know anything about what was hurting our eyes. Now through leaflets, billboards, radio and teachers we know a lot of information. And I have now informed my parents and family so we all have made a change.

“I knew at least ten people in my village that had their eye lashes scratching their eye, and now they have had surgery and are trying not to get it again.”