Dr. Albrecht Hennig has been working here on behalf of the Christoffel- Blindenmission since 1982. This institution is creating the basis for his work by obtaining sponsors and collecting donations. During the past few years the German Television Channel RTL and the daily paper “ Die Rheinpfalz ” rendered substantial support through special projects.
Dr. Hennig has been demonstrating in Nepal that it is possible to help patients with a minimum of effort and expense.

Efficiency and economic housekeeping in the operating theatre

In the operating theatre which is furnished with six simple wooden tables
every patient is spending an average of only 10 minutes. It is, therefore, not seldom that nearly 100 operations are being performed daily. Dr. Hennig and one of his local colleagues are operating at two tables while patients on the other tables are being prepared for the operations or receiving post operative care.

Apart from the speedy performance it is striking to see the simplicity of the furniture and equipment. There is no Hi Tech, everything is guided by efficiency and economy. Nevertheless this clinic is keeping a high standard of quality.

“ I am trying continuously to improve on the medical standard as far as this is possible under local conditions. We want to be well equipped and master the latest techniques. In the meantime nearly all patients can receive intra-ocular lenses (IOL) upon request. No suture is required at operational technique with self- sealing wounds.”

The Chance of a Cure

There are more than twenty million people in this world who are blind through cataract.
In countries of the “ Third World ” ophthalmology, very often, is still a foreign word. Furthermore, poverty in the developing countries deprives people of a chance for cure. Dr. Hennig and the Christoffel-Blindenmission are showing in Nepal that these people can be helped without much effort.
Vision for the World e.V. is sponsoring the treatment of ophthalmologic diseases by financing a Diode-Laser for the Sagarmatha Choudhary Ophthalmologic Clinic.

Types of Blindness

Cataract

The cataract is the most common cause of blindness. It leads to visual pictures getting more and more out of focus. The Greek word “Katarakt” means
“ Waterfalll”. The grey colour in the pupil liquefies and creates a rigid stare at complete blindness.

Cataract is mainly affecting populations of developing countries where operations, at least for poorer people, are hardly possible due to lack of respective infrastructure.

People suffering from cataract can regain full vision through an operation.
In developing countries this operation costs and average of 30,00 Euro.

Lack of Vitamin A (Children’s Blindness)

Every year approximately 500.000 children suffer irreversible blindness caused by lack of Vitamin A. In the developing countries the main reasons are malnutrition, and infectious diseases like measles and conjunctivitis in case of new-born babies.

Provision of one Vitamin A capsule for one child costs 0,50 Euro in the areas concerned.
Already such a small dosis shall help to prevent blindness of a quarter million children lacking vitamin-A within one year.