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| HH Albanian local partner, Dr. Zhugli, examines a patient |
Local Partner: Albania University Eye Center
Project Initiated: 1992
Project Goal: Reduce blindness in Albania by improving the capacity for modern eye services, with particular focus on cataract surgery and pediatric ophthalmology.
Project Summary: In 1992, Health for Humanity developed a partnership with the University of Tirana Eye Clinic to improve the level of ophthalmology countrywide. The partnership resulted in a plan to update the skills of practicing ophthalmologists, to expand the medical residency program for ophthalmologists in training, to modernize the equipment and supplies needed to care for patients, and to establish 5 regional centers to facilitate access to care by the general population. Funding was provided by Soros’ Open Society Institute, the Mary Jane McMillan Crowe Foundation, the International Eye Foundation, and Health for Humanity.
After more than ten years of partnership and collaboration with HH, the majority of Albania’s eye care needs, with the exception of retina services, are now being met with demonstrable excellence, solely through domestic providers. HH is now working with a core group of the ophthalmology staff from the University Eye Clinic in Tirana, Albania to plan for the development of retina services in that country.
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