Seva Canada recognizes that, while eye care program capacity has grown rapidly in terms of the number of patients accessing services, monitoring, evaluation and research capacity has lagged behind in most low- and middle-income settings. Also lagging behind are institutional systems to use the research findings to improve the quality of care, equity of service delivery to the entire population, and financial self­sustainability. As a result, Seva Canada has trained our in-country staff and partners to conduct their own original research. 

Roshan Bista Seva Cambodia Staff Sophan Vin Seva Cambodia Staff
Roshan Bista and Sophan Vin From Seva Cambodia
 
Seva Cambodia staff, Roshan Bista and Sophon Vin, have taken leadership roles in improving eye care services in Cambodia. A first for both Seva Cambodia and Roshan and Sophan, they each designed and conducted studies that evaluated whether new outreach activities increased the number of people, particularly women and girls, accessing eye care services and at what program costs. 
 
Cambodian woman eye test by Ellen Crystal

Cambodian Woman Having Her Vision Tested by a Field Worker

More specifically, Roshan showed that a new model using outreach 'camps' staffed by ophthalmic nurses doubled the number of appropriately treated patients compared to the existing field worker program. 

Eye Health Awareness Session Participants Battambang, Cambodia

Sophon Running an Eye Health Awareness Session

Sophon, meanwhile, showed that the Eye Health Awareness Sessions (EHAS) that provide information to community leaders about the causes of blindness and services available resulted in a seven-fold increase in the number of people attending the hospital for cataract surgery. 

Congratulations to Seva Cambodia, Roshan, and Sophan, for using their research training to improve eye care in Cambodia! 

Sight Stories and News

  • The Recipe for Eye Care Program Success!

    Every Seva Canada eye care program is customized to meet the specific needs of each country and community. However, the recipe for success always includes a some essential ingredients. Learn what they are in this article.

    Blog | March 24th, 2023
  • Traditional Nepalese Momos, mmm!

    Raju Tuladhar, a friend of Seva Canada's, invited some of our team to his home in Kathmandu where his lovely wife, Gita Gurung, treated us to her homemade momos (a traditional Nepalese dumpling). They were so tasty that we asked her for the recipe to share with you. Enjoy!

    Blog | March 24th, 2023
  • Losing His Sight But Not His Humour

    When our partners in Burundi first met grade 10 student Thierry, he seemed shy and too serious for his young age. Deep down, he was a fun-loving teen, but he had developed a reserved demeanor at times - life had not been easy for Thierry over the past few years.

    Blog | March 22nd, 2023