Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has launched the second phase of a project to treat eye diseases in Afghanistan by performing medical examinations and surgeries for patients with cataracts in seven provinces over 12 months in partnership with the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), at a total cost of $315,762.
In a statement, QRCS said that the project, launched in Ghazni province, aims to reduce vision loss rates and improve eye health among people in remote areas of Afghanistan by performing medical examinations to diagnose eye diseases, performing cataract surgeries for patients, and raising awareness in the target communities about the causes of and how to prevent eye diseases.
The second phase involves cataract surgeries for 2,350 patients, as well as free examinations, medications, lenses, and awareness-raising activities for 14,500 beneficiaries, with a special focus on providing health services for the poorest people in the remote areas of Ghazni, Badakhshan, Takhar, Faryab, Badghis, Farah, and Zabul.
In 2021, QRCS completed the first phase of the project, with 1,304 patients undergoing cataract surgeries and more than 9,000 patients receiving medical examinations, free medications, lenses, and health education in six provinces, including Kunar, Laghman, Paktia, Bamiyan, Ghor, and Kunduz.
