Delivering eye care in hard-to-reach communities in Zambia

Through the Qatar Creating Vision (QCV) project—supported by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and delivered by Orbis Zambia—these obstacles are being overcome so that more communities in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province can receive the quality care they need.

By strengthening local health facilities, equipping frontline teams, and providing practical tools like bicycles and ophthalmic equipment, Orbis and our partners are helping eye care workers reach more people, diagnose problems earlier, and deliver timely treatment—especially in rural and hard‑to‑reach areas.

At the heart of this work are the people whose lives are changing every day: health workers gaining confidence and skills, children returning to the classroom, and families learning to trust and seek out care. The experiences of Charles, Fredrick, Emmanuel, and Miracle show how Orbis and our partners are improving people’s lives, all thanks to your support.

When Chililabombwe District Hospital was commissioned in 2024, it represented progress for the local community. But despite having a designated eye clinic, the hospital lacked essential ophthalmic equipment, limiting the care that could be provided.

For Charles Chikwanda, a Clinical Officer in Ophthalmology, this meant referring patients to facilities far away, often at great cost to families.

“Before the support, we did not even have a tonometer (a machine used to measure intra ocular pressure),” Charles explains. “Diagnosing conditions like glaucoma was extremely difficult.”

Through this project, the eye department received vital equipment, including a tonometer, slit lamps, eye charts, and trial lens sets. With these tools in place, the clinic can now carry out comprehensive eye examinations, make accurate diagnoses, manage cases effectively, and refer patients for further care when needed.

“Having a fully functional eye department has transformed our work,” Charles says. “We now provide accurate information and ensure patients receive the right care at the right time.”

Today, more community members are accessing eye care close to home, without the burden and cost of long-distance travel, removing one of the main barriers to access in this community.

In the rural village of Mpongwe, households are spread far apart and access to health services can be limited. For Fredrick, a Community Health Worker based at Kanyinda Rural Health Centre, reaching patients has always required commitment and the right support.

Through Primary Eye Care training and bicycles provided by Orbis and our partners, Fredrick is able to travel more than 20 kilometers at a time to visit households, screen eyes, and refer patients for further care.

“Before the training, I was passionate but powerless,” Fredrick shares. “Now, I have both the knowledge and the means to help.”

Equipped with a bicycle, medical bag, record book, raincoat, and boots, Fredrick can now easily travel around his community. He works closely with teachers to identify children who struggle in school simply because they cannot see, and collaborates with St. Theresa Eye Clinic for mentorship and referrals. To date, he has reached more than 500 people through screenings, awareness-raising, and linkage to care.

We’d like to say a huge thank you to Fredrick and his colleagues who are using their skills, and their pedal power, to help bring eye care closer to families who might otherwise be missed.

Emmanuel was once a bright boy who loved school, but his life changed after a traumatic eye injury left him blind in one eye, followed by a cataract developing in the other. Fear and misinformation discouraged his family from seeking medical care, forcing Emmanuel out of school for nearly two years.

After encouragement from teachers and visits to Kamuchanga District Hospital, Emmanuel was referred through Orbis-supported services to Kitwe Teaching Hospital. There, he received cataract surgery that restored vision in his left eye.

When he returned to school, Emmanuel was filled with confidence and hope. His journey also empowered his mother, Esther, who has since become a community advocate for eye health. Through Orbis–supported radio programs, she shares her story to encourage other parents to seek medical care rather than delay out of fear or myths.

Her voice continues to raise awareness and help families get the knowledge and awareness they need to access the right kind of care.

Growing up in Mpopo, nine-year-old Miracle struggled with headaches and poor vision that made learning difficult. With no local eye services at the time, her mother Catherine could only offer pain relief and hope.

That changed when an eye clinic opened at Lufwanyama District Hospital with support from the Qatar Fund for Development. Through the Qatar Creating Vision Project and Orbis-supported outreach, Miracle received a comprehensive eye exam and her first pair of prescription glasses.

“Before, I could only see the board when I sat right at the front,” Miracle says. “Now I can see everything clearly.”

With improved sight, Miracle’s headaches are gone, her confidence has grown, and she is performing better in school. She now dreams of becoming a doctor, inspired by the care she received.

From hospital clinics to rural communities, Orbis and our partners are strengthening eye care systems across Zambia. By supporting training, donating essential equipment, and providing tools like bicycles that help health workers travel further, we’re removing the barriers that people face when receiving eye care.

We couldn't do any of this without the help of our partners and supporters. Together, we’re not only restoring sight, but opening doors to education, opportunity, and a brighter future for communities across Zambia.