It is with profound thanks that I report to you that on September 23rd 2022 the new Dooley Intermed sponsored Eye Hospital officially opened in Dhalkebar, Nepal, near the open border with India, this new facility can provide care to more than 50,000 patients annually from both India and Nepal. Striving to reach those in the greatest need, even before the official opening, our regional outreach “eye camps” have already provided 1,620 sight-restoring cataract surgeries and thousands of refractions.
This Eye Hospital has been the largest project undertaken in Dooley InterMed’s 60+ year history of providing care to those in the greatest need. The worldwide pandemic created a series of unanticipated obstacles and challenges that we had to overcome along the way. It has been quite a challenge, to say the least. It is because of you, our donors, that thousands of men, women, and especially children are now benefiting from the life-changing power of vision! These patients emerge from our eye hospital with productive new lives and opportunities provided by good eyesight!
The regions served by this new eye hospital have a massive population, including many impoverished villages. Working with our partner organizations in Nepal, we are striving to reach those in greatest need. Some are old and afraid, hampered by superstition that demons or curses have stolen their vision.
Young children who have never had an eye examination will benefit massively from the life-changing power of simple eyeglasses. Most of our patients are very poor. Dooley InterMed’s goal is to help everyone in need. We estimate the new Eye Hospital will serve more than one hundred thousand patients per year from Nepal and nearby bordering districts of India.
Our work is not yet finished. While the new Eye Hospital is well equipped for basic procedures our goal is to add the capability to provide comprehensive subspecialty ophthalmic care. To accomplish this, we have a “wish list” of Additional Equipment Needs:
Anterior Vitrectomy – $7,900 Auto Refractor – $6,500 Gonio Lens – $700
Can you help?
A donation of $100 will sponsor three sight-restoring cataract surgeries or twenty pairs of basic eyeglasses. Please consider a donation to provide the “Gift of Sight” to those who cannot afford care.
Dooley InterMed supporters recently sponsored the cost of a brand-new Auto Rickshaw to provide patient transportation between the local bus stop and the Eye Hospital.