Delivering treatment to millions of people in southern Ethiopia requires careful planning and generous help from supporters, partners, and volunteers — especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ethiopia Update: Orbis Team Making Great Strides Protecting Families from Trachoma
Breaking: Since early December, the Orbis team has been on the ground in southern Ethiopia responding to the trachoma crisis. Read on for the latest news — the challenges and successes happening right now. And learn how you can help keep #HopeInSight for people suffering from blinding trachoma.
Scroll Through Events in Ethiopia
ORBIS TEAM TREATS MILLIONS OF FAMILIES IN SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
Families in Ethiopia are receiving antibiotic treatment to prevent the spread of trachoma, the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. Thanks to the support of partners and donors, Orbis has virtually eliminated trachoma in 24 regions of Ethiopia — but there's more work to be done. And that's why our teams are there right now, working to end this painful and contagious disease.
ON TRACK TO MEET OUR AMBITIOUS GOAL
The Orbis team set a goal to treat 13.5 million people in 150 districts in the southern regions of Ethiopia. As of today, we are on track to achieve this ambitious goal by the end of December. The antibiotic we are distributing is Zithromax, a well-known and safe medicine produced by Pfizer. Pfizer kindly donates all the Zithromax the Orbis team needs to end trachoma.
OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES OF COVID-19
The mass drug administration (MDA) hasn't been without challenges. Typically, we carry out one part of the MDA in June and the other in November. But the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant delays this year. In fact, the project was almost canceled. But because of the importance of eliminating trachoma, the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia approved the MDA. We began the distribution of the antibiotic in early December, and the project is going strong today.
DELIVERING MEDICINE IN A COVID-SAFE MANNER
To move ahead with the MDA during COVID-19, we needed to modify our procedures. All teams receive training on how to deliver the medicine in a COVID-safe manner. Also, each outreach worker is given personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep COVID-19 at bay. The amount of PPE needed to treat millions of people is significant. We've launched a campaign to help pay for this expense. Please donate now to help keep everyone safe during this critical project.
FOCUSING ON FAMILIES THAT NEED HELP THE MOST
Before entering a district, we complete an impact survey of the population. The survey's results give us an idea of the prevalence of trachoma in the area. If the levels are low, then we do not need to distribute the medicine there. We expect more than 30 districts will not need the medication due to the great progress made in recent years to end trachoma.
DELIVERING TREATMENT TO FAMILIES' HOMES
The outreach team goes door-to-door, ensuring everyone is aware of the treatment. The team sets up their equipment in the "compound" area, where an extended family lives. An outreach worker will use a dosing pole to measure the height of the person they're treating. Based on their height, they will be given the exact amount of medication they need.
HELPING PEOPLE WHO SHOW SIGNS OF TRACHOMA TRICHIASIS
During the MDA, anyone who shows active signs of trachoma trichiasis gets referred for surgery at a clinic. If left untreated, the condition can lead to irreversible blindness.
WILL YOU HELP KEEP HOPE IN SIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE OF ETHIOPIA?
We are in the final stretch of this part of the multiyear project to end this painful and infectious disease. But to continue to deliver the treatment safely, we need your help to provide PPE for our outreach workers. Please donate today and keep hope in sight for people who need it most.
Donate Today
You Can Make a Difference in the Fight to End Trachoma
Please join the list of extraordinary people working to eradicate blinding trachoma from the world.
Your gift today will help provide PPE for outreach workers in Ethiopia — and save the sight of someone suffering from this highly contagious disease.
Make A Gift Today
Please help our outreach workers deliver sight-saving treatment
We wish you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season. Thank you for helping to make our sight-saving work possible.
