IMET2000 - Chestertons Foundation

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IMET2000

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The Cause

The International Medical Education Trust (IMET) 2000 works in areas of extreme deprivation, including refugee camps and war zones, to provide specialist medical services to afflicted communities. Since their inception in 2000, they have extended their operations to countries in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

The Project

Cataracts are a common eye condition characterised by clouding of the lens which often leads to blurred vision and blindness if left untreated. The condition is often age-related but also occurs in young adults.

In the majority of developed countries, cataracts surgeries are a simple and easily accessible procedure.

CIF partnered with IMET2000 in April 2024 to restore the sight of blind and near blind Ugandans who live on less than $1 per day and lack access to critical care. The cost of a cataract operation in the main hospitals in Kampala is around $700.

Our Impact

£15,000

Access to life-changing surgery for just £62.50 per person

240

Patients

Have had their sight restored and have regained their independence

Months

Thanks to Dr Susan Kikira, our donation has changed the lives of 240 people in just 6 months

Prior to our donation, IMET’s cataracts project had become dormant due to lack of funding. CIF are proud to have played a crucial role in reviving the initiative.

Our small investment has been life-changing for these 240 individuals who, with their newly restored vision, have regained their independence and are now able to take an active role in their family and community lives, impacting not only their own quality of life but also those around them.

With our support, IMET2000 will reach their goal of providing surgeries to 250 people by the end of 2024 and we have pledged an additional donation to contribute towards their goal of completing 400 surgeries in 2025.

Meet Majindu

Majindu suffered from total blindness in both eyes and was unable to walk unaided, often relying on his young, teenage son to guide him.

He was offered free surgery at Herona Hospital and, after two successful procedures, he now has sight in both eyes and is embracing his newfound independence.

Majindu said on his final visit to Herona Hospital: ‘Before surgery, I could not walk alone. I had to be supported and nothing I could do myself, but now I have come without any support, so thank you so much.’

Colin Green, Founder of IMET2000

‘All of us in IMET2000 are sure this is a wonderful investment in peoples’ lives. We can only thank the Chestertons Foundation for their immense generosity…We are fortunate that Dr Susan Kikira, the Ugandan ophthalmologist carrying out the operations at such low cost to IMET2000, has such a high success rate. She is superb and we thank her too for her altruistic devotion to her own society.’

To find out more about their incredible work, please visit: https://imet2000.org/

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