The Fred Hollows Foundation has conducted a successful surgical campaign in Burundi, Africa, with sight being restored to 183 cataract patients.

The success of the surgical campaign comes as The Foundation prepares to begin long term program work in Burundi in 2010.

Burundi, officially known as the Republic of Burundi, is a small country under 28,000 square kilometres in size. It is one of the poorest countries in the world and is among the smallest in Africa. It has a density of 315 people per square kilometre, the second highest density in sub-Saharan Africa. It is also arguably the country with the largest need in terms of eye care in the East African region.

There are only ten ophthalmologists in the country and only two of these can perform eye surgery. The rest are based in the capital city and mainly provide optical services.

The Vice President of Burundi, Dr Yves Sahinguvu, has acknowledged The Foundation’s dedication to supporting the people of Burundi and improving eye care services. He has also noted that the government of Burundi is determined to work with The Foundation to implement an adequate eye health strategy.