EUROPE/ITALY - "Let us open our eyes" campaign for the prevention of trachoma in Ethiopia

Friday, 21 October 2016 healthcare  

Internet

Milan (Agenzia Fides) - Following the success of the first issue, Italian non-profit organization CBM (Christian Mission for the blind in the world) launches the second issue of Occhiolino, the magazine which was born from the desire to engage and educate children on the universal values of solidarity, inclusion, openness to others but also to introduce the world of disability (see Fides 18/07/2016).
The second issue is dedicated entirely to Ethiopia, the oldest African state, where blindness and disability are widespread, even among children. In a simply way it highlights the CBM's commitment in this Country for the elimination of trachoma, a disease among the top causes of infectious blindness in the world, which mainly affects children between 1 to 9 years of age. The statement sent to Agenzia Fides says that the campaign Let us open our eyes is from 1 October to 8 November. The goal this year is to reach 22,000 children and adults with visual impairments in 5 of the Southern countries: Ethiopia, Paraguay, Bolivia, India and Nepal. CBM Doctors will carry out eye surgery for children from poorer families, set up mobile clinics and eye screening activities. Moreover, thanks to the funds raised from the campaign, scholarships for the training of medical and paramedical staff specializing in ophthalmology will be funded. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 21/10/2016)


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