By Leslie Mulvey | Orbis Intern
The blinding and painful eye infection, trachoma, affects approximately 34,000 people in the Gamo Gofa region of southern Ethiopia which has over two million inhabitants. Without treatment, this disease, which often begins in childhood, progresses and robs its victims of their sight, education and livelihoods.
In the coming months Orbis plans to distribute the antibiotic, Zithromax, to over half a million people from this region. The antibiotic will treat the active trachoma infection and prevent the disease from further transmission.
Betisa brought his two sons, Guye (4) and Mohammad (7) to the Zithromax distribution clinic in First Mekala Kebele. Guye was examined by the project coordinator and was diagnosed with active trachoma while his older brother was free from infection. Trachoma is a highly infectious disease so both boys were given the antibiotic in order to treat Guy's infection and also to prevent Mohammad from contracting the infection from his brother.
With thanks to your generosity, Orbis can continue to treat people like Guye and Mohammad and give them a brighter future.
This antibiotic, kindly donated by Pfizer, will be distributed annually for between three and five years and will enable the society to attain freedom from trachoma and allow the next generation to grow up free from the threat of blindness.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!
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