Lions Aid Norway is a nongovernmental organisation supporting Ministry of Health in the implementation of sustainable Eye Health services in Zambia.

Lions Aid Norway is providing support in the areas of Infrastructure, Human Resource, Service delivery, drugs, equipment and Advocacy.

The face of Trachoma Kaoma case stories

Support of the Kaoma Trachoma elimination Program is made possible by Ministry of Health in Partnership with Lions Aid Norway.

What is Trachoma ? A future threatened by Trachoma Chipago and Kamanas case

About 400km west of Lusaka in a small community of Kaoma District is Levy
Trachoma results in GDP loss in Africa of around $3-6 billion annually and by

Mwanawasa Community school. Chipango and Kamana are 12, 8 year old pupils with dreams of completing school and working in the big city. During a routine eye examination, both pupils are found to have active trachoma. Chipango and Kamana are among the estimated 45, 000 at risk of blindness due to Trachoma in
A TRACHOMA AFFECTED EYE

adopting and implementing the Zambia Trachoma

Action Plan it is anticipated that reduced disability and blindness will result in 0.20.4% additional economic growth in Zambia.
CHIPAGO AND KAMANA POSE FOR A PHOTO WITH MR CHAINDA, AN OPTHALMIC CLINI CAL OFFICER.

Zambia.

Trachoma is one of the oldest infectious

THI S PUBLI CATI ON WAS COMPI LED BY LI ONS AI D NORWAY STAFF.

The impact of Trachoma The benefit of Surgery Cecilia and Ruths Story
Trachoma is one of the leading causes of blindness
in Zambia. Globally, there are 1.3 million people blind and 1.8 million people with low vision as a result of trachoma. In Zambia, It is estimated that 10 million people live in trachoma endemic districts. Recent
Cecilia 68 and Ruth 78 are community members based in Mangango community of Kaoma District. Cecilia told a visiting team of the District Medical Office and Lions Aid Norway staff that she had developed Triachasis ( folding in of eyelids which leads to corneal ulcers and later blindness) about 10 years ago. During this period, Cecilia recounts that she could not work in her fields because her vision had been impaired and she was in constant pain. As a result, she had trouble feeding her grandchildren due to lack of income. Ruth who developed the same conditions had similar difficulties.
RUTH (LEFT) WITH HER SON

diseases known to mankind. It is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis a microorganism which spreads through contact with eye discharge from the infected person (on towels, handkerchiefs, fingers, etc.) and through transmission by eye-seeking flies. After years of repeated infection, the inside of the eyelid may be scarred so severely that the eyelid turns inward and the lashes rub on the eyeball, scarring the cornea (the front of the eye). If untreated, this condition leads to the formation of irreversible corneal opacities and blindness.

surveys in 6 of 7 districts have shown that Kaoma District has recorded the highest prevalence rate of 32.7% among children aged from 1-9 years. Trachoma arises from poverty and propagates poverty, and has grave medical and socio-economic ramifications. (Zambia Trachoma Action plan, 201. )

If nothing had been done in Cecilia and Ruths case, the condition would have led to Cecilia and Ruth are among the over 70 patients permanent blindness.

who have benefited from Lions Aid Norway supported surgical outreach camps conducted by Ministry of Health. Today, both women are excited about the outcome of the surgery and are now encouraging other affected people to register for surgery. Both women described their ability to be able to work in the field as the best benefit of the surgery. Ruths family expressed gratitude to Lions Aid Norway for supporting the surgery adding that she is no longer a burden to the family because she
EXAMINING CHILDREN F OR TRACHOMA IN KAOMA
PERFORMING TT SURGERY IN KAOMA 68 YEAR OLD CECILIA WITH HER GRANDCHILD

can now do things on her own.