TanZanEye team back from second eye camp in Mpanda and Sumbawanga
After less than three months, a 10-member team led by Dr. Karsten Paust was once again on mission in the medically severely underserved west of Tanzania. Within the framework of the project "Prevention of avoidable blindness programme" of the TanZanEye e.V. association, the task was to conduct a second eye camp in Mpanda and then a teaching and training programme in Sumbawanga.
There is no eye clinic in Mpanda. However, a logistical masterstroke by Tanzanian project participants made it possible to set up a temporary clinic in the local community hall. Three surgical microscopes were also brought in from surrounding regions, including a portable FLAIR P4, which has been in use in Mbeya since the beginning of 2016 and was made available as a kind of neighbourly help (560km!). A total of 120 eyes could be operated on in the nearby Regional Hospital.
The subsequent teaching and training programme in Sumbawanga focused on imparting theoretical knowledge with practical exercises and the specific topics of red reflex and glaucoma. 40 health care workers, mainly ophthalmic nurses, were trained.
An all-round bravura performance by the young association!
Large crowd in the waiting area of the temporary clinic
The borrowed FLAIR P4 in use
Exuberant joy after the further training...
... and group picture to a collective performance