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Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world, with a fragile health system. Sightsavers together with our partners have stepped in to help build a brighter future.

It’s 5.30am in Nacala, northern Mozambique. A crowd of people have gathered beneath the shade of a large acasis amarela tree outside the district hospital to wait for the eye care team to arrive. Sixty six-year-old Amade Munajugar arrives, being led by his son (pictured below, on the left). He lost his sight five years ago, yet this is the first time he’s sought medical attention. Shocking as this sounds, it’s a common story here.

Outreach

At 6.30am the eye care team arrives. Based at Nampula Central Hospital they run six outreach sessions a year, two in each district, funded entirely by Sightsavers. This involves the ophthalmologist and two or three ophthalmic technicians travelling to the outreach district hospital for two weeks at a time where they screen and treat patients with eye care problems and perform cataract operations where required.

This kind of outreach improves access to eye care for those people who otherwise could not afford to travel to Nampula. This is vital in a region where many people are rural farmers living in remote areas with an average monthly income of just $10. Often, people simply cannot afford the cost of transport to get to Nampula Central Hospital.

You can click here to hear from Dr Anselmo Vilanculos, Head Ophthalmologist at Nampula Central Hospital.

The outreach team’s initial job is to take the names of all the people waiting to be seen; and ensure those who missed out last time, due to lack of staff and time, are called first. (See thumbnail below left.)

Life changing

“I am feeling anxious but also positive about my father’s future after the operation,” Amade’s son tells us as his father goes into the screening room. “If his sight comes back, all my brothers’ lives will change because we’ll no longer have to support him. He’ll become a proud man again.”

Ali Albissira is also waiting outside the screening room. His mother, Amina (pictured above with her overjoyed daughter), has been blind for three years. Like most of the people here, she heard about the outreach on local community radio. Unable to care for herself, Amina now lives with her son. “She is very unhappy with the situation.” Ali says. “She misses her independence.”

A straightforward operation

Both Amade and Amina are diagnosed with cataract: a clouding of the eye’s lens. It’s a common condition all over the world, and one that can be rectified for as little as £17. Yet in poor countries such as Mozambique thousands of people are blind from cataract, due to a lack of health education combined with a scarcity of accessible eye care.

Amade and Amina return the next day for their operations, along with all the other people needing surgery. “I’m most looking forward to seeing all my grandchildren again,” Amina says. Relatives and friends of the patients wait outside in the morning sun anxious to know if everything will go smoothly.

A few hours later, Amade comes out of the hospital. He walks without a guide, his back straight and head held high – with obvious pride. His son jumps up to greet him and throws his arms around his father. Back at home, the rest of his family and neighbours are there to greet him. “I’m so grateful for all the help I received when I was blind,Amade says. “Now I’m looking forward to getting back to work on my farm.”

Returning home

Amina’s operation was also a success. She returns home to huge excitement from her extended family. Her youngest grandchild is brought out to meet his grandmother. This is the first time she has seen his face (see the thumbnail on the right, below).

Thanks to Sightsavers and our partners in Mozambique 84 people had their sight restored on this outreach visit alone.