Throughout the last 20 years the Sagarmatha Choudhary Eye Hospital (SCEH) has grown from a small eye unit to a large volume treatment centre, which provides high quality eye services at an affordable cost to a large population in eastern Nepal and northern India.

These services have been established and consolidated with the support of Christoffel Blindenmission (CBM) in co-operation with the Nepali partners Social Welfare Council and Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh.

Please select one of the following topics of our Annual Report 2002:

Outpatients and Surgery:

There was an 21% increase (from 41,392 in 2001 to 50,064 in 2002 ) in the number of operations performed at SCEH. Sutureless ECCE/IOL technique was the most common cataract surgical procedure (87.7%).

Special Services at SCEH, Lahan

Dr. Bernd Schroeder, a German CBM Co-worker, joined the SCEH team from January 2002. He initiated new concepts, mainly in the departments of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Low Vision Clinic. He also strengthened the Continuous Medical Education for ophthalmologists, ophthalmic assistants and eye workers.

In 2002, new facilities for the Pediatric Department were created. 8,437 Children were examined, out of whom 529 underwent cataract surgery.

1,857 patients with corneal ulcer attended the Corneal Ulcer Department and received treatment according to the lab findings.

237 low vision patients were assessed and received special low vision devices and counselling.

After the completion of a 10-year community based Rehabilitation project, counselling services have been provided at the base hospital, in 2002 to 938 blind persons, including 149 children.

Teaching and Training:

Throughout the year, 13 residents from Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan and King George Medical College, Lucknow attended a one-month comprehensive clinical and surgical training.

12 ophthalmologists from various countries received short- or long-term training in sutureless cataract surgery.

7 candidates were selected for ophthalmic assistant training. After a three-months theoretical training at Rana-Ambika Lumbini Eye Hospital, Bhairahawa they are undergoing a three-year training at SCEH Lahan.

Dr. B. Schroeder conducted a three-months theoretical and practical training in pediatric ophthalmology for three hospital staff.

A two-week clinical training was given to ophthalmologists, residents and ophthalmic assistants by Dr. Christian Mardin from Germany.

A one-month refresher training for ophthalmic assistants and eye workers was organized by the hospitals ophthalmologists.

Outreach Activities:

The mobile team of SCEH conducted 141 Screening Camps in collaboration with local organisations in the 7 districts Siraha, Saptari, Udayapur, Sunsari, Morang, Sarlahi and Rautahat. Out of 32,885 patients examined 3,876 were transported free of cost to the SCEH and underwent cataract surgery.

The construction of an own clinic was started. After its completion the present daily clinic in a rented building will be shifted.

On request, SCEH has started supporting the Sarlahi Eye Clinic in Malangwa in training existing staff, renovating the existing building and constructing a 36 bedded eye ward, kitchens and toilet. Outpatient services started in August 2002, and eye surgery on a regular basis will commence from January 2003.

3,818 school children were screened in 27 schools and children with refractive error received spectacles through the SCEH.

Miscellaneous:

The 110 member staff consists of 8 ophthalmologists (four long-term, four under 18-months surgical training), 6 administrative staff, 12 ophthalmic assistants, 54 paramedical staff and 30 others (watchmen, gardener, driver, sweepers, peons).

5,801 poor patients presenting at the SCEH or in the Screening Camps received subsidized or free treatment. The cost of NPR 2,104,542 (USD 26,981) was financed by CBM, the Indian Embassy and the hospital's own income.

Over 50 visitors came to Lahan to observe the eye work or for orientation.

The Program Director gratefully acknowledges the support rendered by Christoffel Blindenmission and their donors, the Social Welfare Council, the Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh as well as the Local Working Committee including the donor Choudhary families.

He thanks the Nepali ophthalmologists and their institutions for the co-operation with the SCEH.

Special thanks goes to his colleagues, the Administrator and all staff members. Due to their very hard working and combined effort the enthusiastic team made the eye services of SCEH such a success.

Dr. A. Hennig

Program Director