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TANZANIA
Since 2023, VHI has partnered with the Ndoombo Community Dispensary and Mount Meru Health Clinic to provide direct patient care, including comprehensive eye exams and distribution of prescription glasses, readers, and sunglasses. Collaborating with Tanzanian ophthalmologists and EyeCorps, and partnering with the SKYGEN Foundation for community screenings, VHI works to strengthen cataract surgery capacity. The program also supports long-term sustainability through skills transfer, equipment donations, and scholarships for clinic staff in eye-care-related fields.
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VHI Partnerships in Tanzania
VHI partners with the Mt. Meru Tumaini Health Clinic (MMTHC), a U.S. nonprofit that supports the dispensary by providing infrastructure, staffing, and long-term vision for regional health services. The Ndoombo Community Dispensary team, including nurse/midwife Romini Mbise, dentist Polite Mbise, and community health workers, conducts outreach in churches and villages. EyeCorps collaborates with VHI to build surgical capacity in East Africa, providing cataract surgery and advanced eye care.
Volunteering with VHI in Tanzania
Most Honduras programs are about a week long; volunteers typically fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). VHI arranges transport to Ndoombo and volunteers stay at a guesthouse or a hotel near Ndoomo. Meals are provided by VHI.
Key Facts About Vision Care in Tanzania
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Ndoombo catchment population: roughly 20,000
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Ophthalmologist availability: fewer than 50 nationwide, mostly in cities; rural areas like Ndoombo are severely underserved
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Preventable blindness: ~80% of blindness is treatable, primarily from cataracts and uncorrected refractive error
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VHI focus: integrate eye care into the trusted local health system
Creating Sustainable Solutions
VHI supports the Ndoombo dispensary by providing vision diagnostic tools and facilitating surgical referrals, while transferring skills to Tanzanian nurses, ophthalmologists, and health workers. The program also offers scholarships and continuing education to advance professional development and engages the community through outreach coordinated with churches, schools, and village leaders.
