- Eye Health
The New York Times has profiled Dr Isaac Vasco da Gama and his pioneering work on child eye health in partnership with Light for the World.
The Times, one of the world’s most respected media outlets, interviewed Dr da Gama and highlighted his work for a feature on child eye health in Mozambique.
Dr da Gama, who received his first general ophthalmology scholarship from Light for the World, became Mozambique’s first paediatric ophthalmologist in 2017.
Light for the World supports Dr da Gama and Quelimane Central Hospital, where he is Head of the Eye Department, under the 1,2,3 I can see! programme. The 10-year programme in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Uganda advocates for the promotion of eye health in schools and helps reinforce healthcare systems to improve child eye health.
The Times article points out how, by training teachers and community leaders to spot vision problems, more children are referred to Dr da Gama in time to save their sight.
The article reports “children with vision loss in lower- and middle-income countries are up to five times less likely to be in formal education”. It examines how relatively simple interventions, like a cataract operation or a pair of glasses, can support a child’s learning.
The piece also touches on the more serious eye conditions Dr da Gama treats, including retinoblastoma, a form of eye cancer.
Zacarias Zicai, Country Director at Light for the World in Mozambique, says: “We are grateful to The New York Times for highlighting the tireless work of Dr da Gama and the progress we are making with partners to improve child eye health.
“As we move into the second phase of the 1,2,3 I can see! programme, we are urgently seeking funding partners to work with us.
“It is estimated 40% of children are blind from eye conditions that could be managed or prevented with access to eye care services. While we have made big progress in Mozambique in recent years, too many children still face major barriers – which can do untold damage to their future potential.
“As Dr da Gama says in the article, by pushing forward together, we can slowly overcome this challenge.”
Read the article at the New York Times.
