Reducing Avoidable Blindness for our near neighbours in Papua New Guinea…

To my fellow Ophthalmologists in New Zealand,

Thank you for your interest in helping to reducing avoidable blindness in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

In my role as Senior Ophthalmology Lecturer at the University of Papua New Guinea, and also as an Ophthalmologist trained through support from cbm New Zealand (Christian Blind Mission), it is heartwarming to know there are colleagues like you who are willing to help make a generous contribution to help transform eye health service for the people of PNG.

With a population of almost 9 million, PNG is the largest and most populous nation in the Pacific. With almost 90% of the population living in rural and often mountainous areas, this severely limits their access to specialist health practitioners. With this challenge we also only have 14 Ophthalmologists when we need more than 80. As a result, sadly, many children and adults in PNG end up living with untreated avoidable blindness.

I, along with my surgical team and supported by cbm New Zealand, are doing what we can to reach these rural Highland communities and provide the necessary eye health services.

But the need is great and I could really do with your help.

Along with Dr Bedggood (Paediatric Ophthalmologist in Christchurch), I would like to extend you the opportunity to join us in a three year strategic alliance, with cbm New Zealand. Together we would help reduce the level of avoidable blindness that exists here. Your generosity and expertise are what is needed to deliver more vital eye health services.

The needs now in PNG are:

• Increasing the number of surgical outreach clinics to locations without eye doctors. This will also provide more exposure training for doctors.
• Providing screening checks for eye health
• Supplying glasses and vision devices to those needing them.
• Supporting the training of GPs to become Registrars and Ophthalmologists.

Could you please consider:

• A short term locum visit to support me and my team with surgical support and technical expertise in the areas above.
• Supporting cbm to help ensure more children and adults receive the necessary eye health services they deserve. Giving them renewed hope for the future.

Any financial support you give via cbm New Zealand will be multiplied x5 by the New Zealand Government Aid Programme. To send your generous gift today you can click on the donate button below.

I also encourage you to talk with Murray Sheard, CEO, cbm New Zealand to discuss the best way you can support this vital programme. You can phone him on 022 675 0942 or email msheard@cbmnz.org.nz

With appreciation and thanks,

Dr Jambi Garap MBBS, MMED (Ophthal)
Primary Ophthalmologist
cbm Surgical Outreach Team, PNG

A word of support from Dr Antony Bedggood

I know I’m not alone in wanting to make a difference in Aotearoa and in the world – the best part of our job is the satisfaction of helping people to see. So make your Mahi and your money go a long way by joining me in supporting the awesome eye work that has been established by cbm. It’s a well-established initiative led by colleagues who are themselves from PNG, and who we can team with to have a profound impact. So let’s join together with our Pacific neighbours and help cbm bring light and empowerment to people who are visually impaired.

Dr Antony Bedggood MBChB, FRANZCO
Eye Specialist & Children’s Eye Surgeon
Family Eye Centre, Christchurch, 03 595 1360

Please join Dr Garap and Dr Bedggood by contacting Murray Sheard, CEO, cbm New Zealand to discuss the best way you can support this vital programme.

You can phone Murray on 022 675 0942 or email him at msheard@cbmnz.org.nz to find out how you can be part of this vital three year project – to help reduce avoidable blindness for children and adults in the remote Highlands of PNG.

If you would like to send a gift now to support the programme, please click on the ‘Donate Now’ button below.

cbm Project Information: Inclusive Eye Health Programme, Papua New Guinea

cbm Implementing Partner: Goroka Eye Clinic, Callan Network Inclusive Education Resource Centres (IERCs).

Financial Information: This is a $1,562,000 inclusive development programme, in partnership with the New Zealand Government. With your support, cbm needs to raise $312,500 to which the New Zealand Government will add $1,250,000.

Background: PNG has the highest prevalence of preventative blindness in the Pacific and one of the highest worldwide. People living in the remote Highlands area where cbm works are most at risk due to lack of accessible eye health services. Yet most preventative blindness is easy, and relatively cost-effective, to treat. Blindness is often met with suspicion in PNG with many people who are blind becoming stigmatised or victims of human rights abuse. Isolation is commonplace.

Around 90% of children with moderate to severe disabilities in PNG are not attending school. Lack of accessible transport, premises, textbooks and school supplies, contribute to challenges for the children seeking to gain an education. Many also miss out on accessing disability-specific services that are available to them.

For these reasons children and adults with disabilities in PNG are often among the poorest, and are dependent on others for support.

Partner Information

cbm New Zealand has been operating in PNG for more than 40 years, transforming lives and giving hope for the future. In that time, trusted relationships have been established with field partners, Goroka Eye Clinic, Provincial Health Authorities and the Callan Network Inclusive Education Resource Centres (IERCs). The National Dept of Education – Inclusive Education Division and The University of PNG – Ophthalmology studies.

These valued partnerships help cbm provide children and adults, living in remote communities, with much needed cataract surgeries, improved opportunities for education and economic activity.

Project Overview

This Eye Health programme will reach out to support children and adults living with disabilities in the remote Eastern Highlands and East New Britain. (Building on the 2019-2021 programme). The programme aims to deliver:

• Cataract surgical outreach clinics to locations without eye doctors.
• Surgical exposure training for doctors and ophthalmology students at the outreach clinics. (Extending the number of national staff with refractive and optometry skills).
• Screening checks for eye health and for preventable disabilities. (With specialist referrals where necessary).
• Glasses and vision devices to those needing them.
• Upgrade of necessary equipment at the Edmund Rice Eye Clinic in Goroka.

The Inclusive Education and Rehabilitation Programme runs alongside this programme to deliver:

• Children and adults with necessary rehabilitation plans and assistive technology (walking frames, wheelchairs, crutches, white canes, etc).
• Ongoing teacher training and resourcing of schools so they can confidently provide inclusive education for children with disabilities in a safe, accessible and welcoming environment.
• Ongoing transcribing of national school curriculum materials into braille.
• Braille typewriters and special computers for use by pupils with low vision.
• Improved early childhood education and early intervention for those with disabilities (aged 0-6).

Financial Support

This a vital project for the people of PNG, working in partnership with the NZ Government and local PNG health and education providers.  The aim, with support from generous people like you, is to raise $312,000, to which the NZ Government will contribute $1,250,000.

As a fellow Ophthalmologist, Dr Garap, Dr Bedggood, and cbm would like to invite you to join a special group of professional supporters, to partner with cbm to deliver vital cataract surgeries and other essential eye health care to children and adults.

We are currently looking for supporters who could commit at the following levels: $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, $10,000+ / year, or an amount of your choosing.

Please would you prayerfully considering partnering with cbm, for between one and four years? There will be an opportunity to review your support after each year.

Your gifts will be matched by the NZ Government x5 to ensure maximum impact. ie $2,500 gift will have $10,000 added. $5,000 gift will have $20,000 added.

There is flexibility around payment option and all gifts will be tax deductible. Thank you for your consideration.

Restoring Families in Papua New Guinea. “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” – Matthew 22:39