'THE GUILDFORD ROTARY EYE PROJECT'

President Ashley formally presented President Elect Tony Coxhill with his chain of office. Tony in reply thanked the Club for the help he has received during his time as a member, in particular Robert Eardley, who introduced him into the Club.

Tony Hoy then introduced John Miles, who had travelled up from Leatherhead, to explain his involvement with the Guildford Rotary Eye Project which provides:-

• Training for eye surgeons
• Microscopes and laser equipment etc.
• Eye buses
• Hospital transport 
• Mobile eye screening camps
• Facilities for additional treatments
• Strives to ensure self sufficiency for all eye units
• These eye hospitals are currently carrying out an impressive 60,000 operations per annum 

ROTARY EYE PROJECT - HISTORY AND PRESENT ACTIVITY   

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the Eye Project is to serve the avoidably blind by providing facilities, equipment and training to surgeons, such that free eye operations and treatment can be provided to those in developing countries who are sadly too poor to afford treatment themselves. There are 40 million avoidably blind worldwide, of which 12 million are in India, 2 million being in the Kolkata area.

BACKGROUND: The Guildford Eye Project was founded in 1997 by eye surgeon and ophthalmic consultant Dr Sam Das, and other Trustees all of whom are members of Guildford Rotary Club. The then District 1250 Governor Bill Cooke visited India to confirm the depth of need and also the worthiness of the proposed project. Sam has recently been awarded an MBE for his ceaseless work with the charity.

It is an integral part of the charity's ethos that the land and building required for hospitals and clinics in the areas of need are provided by local support, which is effectively the local Rotary Clubs who organize and administer these medical centres. A proportion of the cost of equipment, and of operations is also required to be funded locally. This ethos means that there is an ongoing enthusiasm for the success of the project locally, and because all funding from foreign sources is processed from Rotary Club to Rotary Club there are no administrative costs to be deducted. This results in a unit cost per operation of up to 65% less than comparable organisations.

The equipment provided is typically microscopes for examination and for operations, laser units, ophthalmoscopes and the like. Additionally where appropriate the project will provide 'Eye' buses as hospital transport and as mobile eye screening camps. Matching Grants are utilised whenever possible. The charity primarily provides treatment of cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment & diabetic retinopathy.

The facilities in India are currently providing 150,000 free eye examinations and in excess of 20,000 free eye operations p/a. Its Hospitals/Clinics The charity currently either supports or has established twenty eight eye care centres in India primarily in the Kolkata area but also in other parts of that country. All of these are supervised and overseen by suitably qualified local Rotarians. The declared aim of the charity is for these facilities to eventually become self financing, primarily by providing private eye operations to wealthier patients. All patients seeking free care are means tested.

This business model has now being extended to the charities first eye hospital in Africa, in Auchi Nigeria, which is projected to be fully operational in early 2012. Ten of the eye surgeons working in India were trained in the UK through GSE Projects, with the African eye surgeons being trained with the support of Indian Rotarians and their Rotary Clubs. The training given is conditional upon those trained providing a good proportion of their working week to the Rotary facilities as well as committing in turn to providing training to newer surgeons who will subsequently support and increase the work which Rotary can achieve.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT: While the charity has received financial support from the States, Canada and a number of European countries, here in the UK support is generally provided from within D1250 only.

THE FUTURE AND HELP REQUESTED: In conjunction with its Indian Rotary partners the project has recently set a target of establishing an additional 50 new eye care facilities in India by 2015! The Guildford Eye Project in 2011 achieved inclusion into Rotary GB&I's Opportunities to Serve listing and would like to build on that accolade by appointing ambassadors/representatives in each of the other 28 Districts to help raise awareness and financial support for its work. Active Rotary promotion of this

charity will reflect favourably not only upon the Eye Project itself, but also upon Rotary generally by raising its profile in the hearts and minds of the public at large.

Leaflets, flyers and a promotional DVD are available and Guildford based supporters will happily travel to any part of Rotary GB&I to assist.

Robin Latham proposed a vote of thanks to John for a very impressive presentation.