what we have been doing?

Cataract Foundation Philippines, Inc. (CFPI) has been in existence for 16 years and is headed by an experienced trio – the President - Mr. Jack Po, a medical adviser - Dr. Fortunato Eusebio, and the project director and CBM co-worker - Ms. Mavis Campos.

In partnership with cbm International since 1992 and funded via cbm International - Australia through an AusAID block grant since 2000, CFPI has been the flagship program for prevention of blindness – mostly cataract surgeries – among the poorest sectors of the community, whose poverty would otherwise have fated them to remain blind.

During the span of 16 years, a total output of 289,468 cataract surgeries and 82,500 other sight-saving surgeries have been done. In addition, more than 174,553 pairs of spectacles were dispensed.

Strong emphasis has been placed on community approaches to eye work and the agency has been centrally involved in the development of Vision 2020 strategies - a global initiative by WHO for the elimination of avoidable blindness.

The tasks of CFPI include mobilizing the community and creating awareness about cataract, training of health workers, local doctors, and community-based field staff in identification and referral methods. CFPI works in a cost effective manner, enabling it to provide services to a large number of beneficiaries in a country where a large and increasing proportion of the population live in poverty, and where access to medical eye services is limited to those who can afford to pay or are covered by medical insurance. Today, CFPI works with around 400 partner agencies and private ophthalmologists throughout the country covering 81 provinces.

CFPI is responsible for the ordering and disbursement of surgical equipment, eye medicines and surgical consumables to the partner agencies throughout the country. Monitoring and evaluation procedures are in place and conducted periodically by the consultant and staff to ensure quality service delivery. Cost recovery is achieved through sponsorship from service clubs and private individuals and based on the assessment of economic status; patients are encouraged to donate a certain amount as part of their share in the surgery. Private patients are charged for the use of medical equipment such as lasers. Bulk purchasing of consumables reduces cost considerably. These are some of the methods to reduce dependency on foreign funding and an attempt towards sustainability. However, with indigent patients as the main target group, it will be some years before greater local government and community participation, a national insurance scheme, and increase in the national budget of the Department of Health for prevention of blindness will make it possible for CFPI to be completely self-sustaining.