International Development Grant

Reduction of Avoidable Blindness Program

Project Number: CA-3-S064211PRG

Status: Closed

Country/Region:

Zambia 17.00%
Rwanda 12.00%
Ghana 21.00%
India 19.00%
Kenya 23.00%
Canada 8.00%

Maximum Contribution: $6,784,791.00

Start Date: November 01, 2008

End Date: July 31, 2015

Duration: 6.7 years

Project Description

This program aims to prevent blindness by focussing on: community-based prevention and community development restoring sight among the curable blind as well as training eye care professionals and local health promoters. This program contributes mainly to addressing health care priorities but also works to reduce poverty and improve the social integration of visually impaired people.

Progress & Results Achieved

Results achieved by the end of the project include: 37 village communities in India were declared 'avoidable blindness free'. The eye care model that was developed to eliminate avoidable blindness was replicated in 42 locations across India Zambia and Kenya. Overall more than 8 million people were screened and treated for eye health and more than 692 000 sight restoration surgeries were performed. An additional 615 000 patients received eye glasses and 111 Vision Centres were established.

Key Information

Executing Agency:
Operation Eyesight Universal

Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada

Program:
YFMInternaAssistPartnershp&Programing Br

Last Modified:
September 19, 2025

Development Classifications

DAC Sector:

Basic health care 37%
Basic health infrastructure 55%
Promotion of development awareness 8%

Aid Type: Project-type interventions

Collaboration: Bilateral

Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation

Selection Mechanism:
Pre-APP

Policy Markers
Level 1 Gender equality
Level 1 Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting)
Level 1 Children's issues
Level 2 Disability
Major Funding (>$1M)
Budget Breakdown
2008-04-01 to 2009-03-31 $6,784,791 CAD
Geographic Information
076";Budget Type:Original;Start Date:2009-04-01;End Date:2010-03-31;Value Date:2008-11-01;Value:"$1
Reference ID: 368