Sumba Eye Program Brings Joy to a Darkened World
The Sumba Eye Program, on the Indonesian island of Sumba, has gained considerable momentum in the twelve years since its establishment. So said club member Dr Mark Ellis in his address to the club meeting on Tuesday September 6th. Mark, who was instrumental in the establishment of the clinic, was reporting to the club after the conclusion of the latest major surgical camp in Sumba, held in August. The Sumba Eye Program is jointly sponsored by the Rotary clubs of Glenferrie and Kew, and by the Royal Australian College of Surgeons (RACS) and Optometry Giving Sight (OGS).
The province of Sumba is one of three main islands in Nusa Tenggara Timur (Eastern Indonesia) and is home to approximately 685,000 people. Isolation has restricted the development of adequate healthcare on the island.
Indonesian doctors and nurses now drive most of the treatment delivery at the clinic and Mark reported that the program has attracted interest from prominent Indonesian businessmen. It was the support of the latter that resulted in Garuda, the Indonesian national airline, providing free freight transport for the equipment and supplies this year, saving the program a considerable amount of money.
This year the team completed 100 operations (78 of which were cataract operations). The optometrists examined about 1000 patients and dispensed approximately 700 pairs of spectacles. The program has matured greatly, now sponsoring two local eye care nurses. It has also established a four-year collaboration with the Ophthalmology Department of the Hasanuddin University in Makassar, Sulawesi.
Mark reported that 100% of all donations go directly to the program, with no deduction for administration costs. The clinics are delivered by volunteers, who pay their own way to ensure that services are delivered as broadly as possible.
The Rotary Club of Glenferrie is proud to be associated with the Sumba Eye Program. The success of the program is an inspiration. The joy it brings to people in need is reward in itself. Truly Rotary Serving Humanity.
