CBM Christian Blind Mission

Amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, persons with disabilities are facing unique challenges—often isolated from critical services like healthcare, mobility aids, and support systems. The German government has stepped up with an increased investment in disability rights in Ukraine. These funds will directly address the needs of those left most vulnerable by the war, focusing on inclusive healthcare, accessible infrastructure, and rights-based advocacy. This will ensure that Interventions are inclusive from the start, not just in crisis recovery but in how we shape resilience for the future. Read more about how the funds with help persons with disabilities at the link in the comments section. #Inclusion #DisabilityRights #HumanitarianAid #Ukraine

Dr. Ana Lucía Asturias has been awarded the Else Kröner Fresenius Award for Development Cooperation in Medicine 2024 for preventing premature infants from going blind due to retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in Guatemala. With the support of CBM, the senior paediatric ophthalmologist developed a program in 2019 that has transformed paediatric eye care in the region. Retinopathy refers to the damage to the retina, which can result in significant visual impairment or total blindness. Just imagine a tiny newborn fighting for life in an incubator. Without proper eye screening, this baby could become blind permanently if ROP is left undiagnosed. Dr. Ana Lucía Asturias and the Unidad Nacional de Oftalmología organization in Guatemala provide screening and treatment of preterm infants. They ensure that even remote areas receive the care they need through extensive screenings and innovative telemedicine. In 2023, 1,750 babies were screened, and over 50 received life-saving treatment. The award includes €100,000 to expand these life-changing services nationwide. #BlindnessPrevention #GlobalHealth #InclusiveDevelopment #CBM #Telemedicine #ROP

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World Health Organization validated the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Pakistan. Millions of people, especially in poorer and rural areas, are no longer at risk of blindness from this preventable disease. This breakthrough signals progress in healthcare access, disease control, and the country’s capacity to protect its citizens from neglected tropical diseases. This success also offers hope for other nations still fighting trachoma, showing that coordinated action makes elimination possible. Over the past 23 years, CBM has partnered with the government of Pakistan, Sight Savers and The Fred Hollows Foundation to implement the SAFE strategy in Pakistan to stop the spread of trachoma. This strategy involved performing surgeries, distributing antibiotics, and reaching millions of people with education programs and sanitation improvements. Following the successful implementation of Pakistan's Trachoma Trichiasis Transitional Plan, which began in 2022, WHO has officially declared Pakistan free of trachoma. #BeatNTDs #HealthForAll #LeaveNoOneBehind #EndBlindness #Trachoma #InclusiveHealth #GlobalHealth #EyeHealthForAll #NTDElimination #SDGs

The tiniest babies—those born too soon—face an invisible enemy threatening their eyesight. This is the reality for many children in Latin America battling Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), a serious eye condition that can lead to blindness if not treated in time. What is ROP? It primarily affects premature babies born before 31 weeks of gestation or weighing less than 1,500 grams. In these little ones, the blood vessels in their eyes can develop abnormally, potentially leading to scarring or even detachment of the retina. The result? Permanent blindness. ROP is particularly unpredictable because it often shows no obvious signs in newborns. While parents and doctors focus on the challenges of prematurity, ROP can quietly progress. Each year, up to 20,000 babies may lose their sight to ROP. The stakes are even higher in middle- and low-income countries, where access to comprehensive eye screening programs is still lacking in neonatal care. The good news? ROP is often preventable with early detection and timely intervention. Screening premature babies within 4 to 6 weeks after birth allows healthcare providers to keep a close eye on retinal development and step in when necessary. Treatments like laser therapy, cryotherapy, or specialised injections can effectively halt the growth of abnormal blood vessels, preserving precious eyesight. Since 2019, CBM has been on a mission to enhance ROP care in Guatemala, collaborating with the Unidad Nacional de Oftalmología across 12 hospitals. Through innovative telemedicine initiatives, we ensure that early detection and rapid laser treatment are more accessible than ever. Our commitment extends to training hospital staff and providing online courses in Comprehensive Care of Premature Babies for ROP, all aimed at safeguarding the vision of our smallest patients. Get our annual report at he link in comments to read more about our work #WorldSightDay #LoveYourEyes #LowVision #ChildHealth #Collaboration #Partnership

As we observe #WorldSightDay, we invite you to read our latest annual report, a resource highlighting our commitment to advancing inclusive #EyeHealth over the past year. This report offers an in-depth look at our work, key partnerships, and the measurable outcomes we have achieved in communities in the 30 countries where we work. It showcases CBM’s commitment to advancing child eye health, resonating with this year’s World Sight Day theme under the ‘Love Your Eyes’ campaign, coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). Why is this important? Through real stories, data, and reflections, we share how our efforts have driven change, particularly in creating an inclusive world where no one experiences unnecessary or preventable sight loss. CBM also remains committed to training eye doctors and healthcare personnel in areas with limited resources, providing scholarships for advanced studies in eye care, and offering special training to enhance their skills. Whether you're a partner, donor, or supporter, this report offers valuable insights into how your contributions helped us make a difference. We invite you to explore the impact and see what lies ahead in our mission to provide accessible, affordable and available eye care. 👉 Read the full report at the link in the comments section Babar Qureshi Joy Koech Beatrice Theuri #WorldSightDay #LoveYourEyes #LowVision #ChildHealth #Collaboration #Partnership

Thanks to CBM and our partners worldwide, 10,000 people were saved from blindness in 2023 and can now see. We provided surgeries to treat advanced trachoma, a disease that causes blindness, and saved thousands of people from losing their sight. Restoring sight means giving people back their independence, ability to work, support their families, and participate fully in their communities. Additionally, CBM also reached 54.1 million people with life-changing treatments for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Africa and Asia. Through partnerships and innovative efforts, CBM administered over 88 million doses of preventive chemotherapy, significantly reducing the burden of NTDs in high-risk communities. Our work did not stop there - we also invested in long-term solutions by training over 80,400 people to support their communities in the fight against #NTDs. CBM also provided safe water, sanitation and hygiene facilities for healthier, more dignified communities. Learn more about our NTD work in our recently released CBM NTD Annual Report 2024. Download the report at the link in the comments. Girija S. Babar Qureshi Julia Amanyi-Enegela, MPH, PMP #BeatNTDs #HealthForAll #LeaveNoOneBehind #EndBlindness #NTDPrevention #RestoringSight #InclusiveHealth #GlobalHealth #CommunityHealth #SDGs

At the #NNN 2024 conference, CBM drew attention to the role of civil society organisations (CSOs) in eliminating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Juliana Amanyi-Enegela, CBM’s Senior NTD Programme Manager, led a panel discussion exploring whether civil society could be the "fourth pillar" in the global NTD roadmap. The workshop brought together voices from the NTD, HIV/AIDS, and broader public health sectors, highlighting how CSOs are already shaping community health programs and advocating for policy shifts. CBM case studies highlighted why grassroots organisations are critical to keeping NTD elimination efforts sustainable and inclusive. Without active engagement from grassroots organisations, decades of progress in NTD elimination could stall or be lost. The emphasis on CSOs offers a tangible, community-driven solution to ensure that health services reach those most affected and that local communities have the power to shape and sustain these efforts and, hence, should be empowered to drive lasting change. #BeatNTDs #NTDRoadMap2030

Why the Pact for the Future matters to persons with disabilities A world where everyone has the chance to thrive—where access to education, healthcare, and opportunities isn't limited by geography or ability —should not be an option, but everyone’s right CBM’s Anne Schader, explains in this video that the Pact for the Future brings us closer to that world, especially for persons with disabilities who are often left behind. The Pact for the Future is a global agreement by world leaders to ensure a safer, more sustainable, and inclusive world for future generations. Why does this matter? Take Action 6, for example, which focuses on strengthening social cohesion by investing in people to end poverty. For 1 billion persons with disabilities worldwide, this means access to inclusive education, decent work, and social protection systems that don’t just catch people when they fall but prevent them from being excluded in the first place. It acknowledges that poverty and disability are deeply intertwined, but by focusing on inclusive growth, everyone has a chance to achieve their full potential. #Inclusion #Sustainability #DisabilityRights #PactForTheFuture #UNGeneralAssembly #UnitedNations

This is the alarming result of a study on ear health in Ethiopia. The risk of hearing loss is 31 per cent higher among people who have not attended school than among those who have! And there are several reasons for this: 👂Children with hearing problems often can't go to school because they can't follow lessons 👂People without formal education often have less information about health and therefore no access to medical care 🦻Those who have not attended school often have no money to pay for a doctor, which makes untreated hearing problems worse 👂Less education often means not knowing how to protect their hearing or recognise hearing loss early 🦻People without formal education are more likely to work in noisy jobs such as on construction sites or in factories, which can damage hearing. Many people with hearing problems struggle to find a job and often earn less money. This is even more challenging for children. Left unaddressed, hearing loss can disrupt language development, affect school performance, and derail their social and emotional growth. The ripple effects extend far beyond the individual. Countries are forced to invest heavily in special education, healthcare services, and compensation for lost productivity. This money could be spent building better opportunities, but instead, it is being spent fixing problems that could be prevented. Why does this matter? Because hearing loss is preventable. #InternationalWeekOfTheDeaf #HearingHealth #GlobalDevelopment #PreventiveCare #InclusiveEconomies