QRCS launches cataract surgery initiative for 1,300 patients in Afghanistan

QRCS launches cataract surgery initiative for 1,300 patients in Afghanistan

Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has inaugurated a new initiative to perform 1,300 cataract surgeries and 2,300 medical examinations for poor patients with eye diseases in six Afghan provinces (Kunar, Laghman, Bamyan, Ghor, Kunduz, and Paktia). The one-year project involves performing cataract examinations and procedures, providing medications and eyeglasses, implementing community awareness programs, and distributing informative fliers about prevention of eye diseases. According to estimates, there are nearly 400,000 blind persons in Afghanistan and 1.5 million with low vision. Reports by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) of Afghanistan show that cataract is the main cause of blindness in 60% of cases. There remain 200,000 cases on waiting lists for cataract surgeries. In light of the size of the problem, and inspired by its humanitarian commitment, QRCS launched this project to reduce vision loss rates and improve eye health among the populations of remote provinces.