The Gambia National Eye Care Programme
A National Eye Care Programme (NECP) was established in the
Gambia in 1986 to provide an integrated approach to reducing
the national burden of blindness and low vision. At the outset,
in order to assist with planning, a national survey of blindness
and low vision was undertaken.
The outcome of the survey indicated a blindness prevalence
of 0.7% and cataract blindness accounting for 47% of all causes
of blindness.
From 1986 to 1996, the programme developed and implemented
a comprehensive Eye Care Programme with emphasis on Human
Resources Production and Development to primarily tackle the
two leading causes of avoidable preventable Blindness (Trachoma
and Cataract).
In line with the principles of Primary Health Care and the
concept of Health For All by the year 2000, the Gambia Eye
Care Programme has been successful in providing primary and
secondary eye care services in most areas of the country
|
