Throughout the last 21 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 (SWC) and Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh (NNJS).

In December 2002, the fourth five-year agreement was renewed with the Ministry of Health, the SWC, NNJS and CBM for the continuation of the hospital's services.

Please select one of the following topics of our Annual Report 2003:

Outpatients and Surgery:

A-Scan Biometry was done on all cataract patients.

Retinal Surgery was introduced by the CBM Co-Worker Dr. Bernd Schroeder.

Special Services at SCEH, Lahan

A Diode Laser, a B-Scan and Auto-Refractometers were added as special equipment.

Paediatric Department:

1,524 patients with corneal ulcer attended the Corneal Ulcer Department and received treatment according to the lab findings.

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

Counselling services have been provided at the base hospital to 989 blind persons, including 106 children.

Teaching and Training:

7 residents from BP Koirala Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies, Kathmandu and BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan attended a one-month comprehensive clinical and surgical training.

8 ophthalmologists from various countries received short- or long-term training in sutureless cataract surgery (Fishhook Technique).

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

A two-week clinical training was given to ophthalmologists, residents and ophthalmic assistants by Prof. Christian Mardin from the Erlangen University in Germany.

Prof. Arin Chatterjee from India provided a one-month refresher training for ophthalmologists and ophthalmic assistants.

5 Candidates from Khotang District received a one-week eye worker training at Lahan.

18 staff of Government Health Posts received a ten-days training in primary eye care in two batches.

3 Ophthalmic assistants received short-term Low Vision refresher training in Pokhara and Lahan.

Outreach:

The mobile team of SCEH conducted 136 Screening Camps in collaboration with local organisations in the 6 districts Siraha, Saptari, Udayapur, Sunsari, Morang and Sarlahi. Out of 28,400 patients examined 3,329 were transported to the SCEH or the Satellite Hospital in Malangwa and underwent cataract surgery subsidised or free of cost.

The construction of an own clinic was completed and inaugurated in August 2003 and the daily clinic shifted from a rented building to the new premises.

Since 2002, SCEH has been supporting the Sarlahi Eye Centre in Malangwa, in the initial stage taking up the Outpatients Department only. From January 2003, surgery was performed regularly with admission of the operated patients in a newly constructed 36 bedded eye ward, financed by SCEH. Out of 1,205 eye operations 1,095 were sutureless cataract surgery (Fishhook Technique).

Miscellaneous:

The 120 member staff consists of 9 ophthalmologists (four long-term, five under 18-months surgical training), 7 administrative staff, 12 ophthalmic assistants and 7 ophthalmic assistant trainees, 49 eye workers and 36 others (watchmen, maintenance helpers, gardener, drivers, sweepers, peons etc.).

3,731 poor patients presenting at the SCEH or in the Screening Camps, mainly from Nepal, received subsidised or free treatment.

44 visitors came to Lahan to observe the eye work.

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 Dr. Bernd Schroeder, who returned to Germany in December 2003, for all his valuable contributions.

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

Special thanks go 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