The population of Luanda is estimated at around 4 million. The prevalence of blindness in Angola is estimated at 1% of the population, of which 50% is due to cataract. The population of Luanda is estimated at about 2 million, but some sources suggest that it can be as high as 6 million.

Precise statistics are not yet available in Angola, because it still finds itself in the slow process of rebuilding after the long civil war. Considering the prevalence figures, therefore 40,000 blind people in and around Luanda of whom 20,000 are due to cataract.

The cataract surgery rate in Angola is one of the lowest in Africa, estimated at less than 100 per million of the population per year. In Luanda it is less than 50 per million of the population per year.

Right to Sight currently has one project in Angola

New Eye Clinic, Luanda

Current Status

• RTS has again partnered with Shalina Laboratories, a prime partner in DRC, to build an eye clinic in the Luanda slums.

• Shalina will cover infrastructure costs, salaries, equipment and consumables and RTS will pay for all training of local expatriate staff.

RTS Objectives

• To facilitate the training of critical staff in India though RTS partner LAICO.

• To establish a work plan owned by the clinic staff which would look to achieve 2,500 cataract operations and 25,00 out-patient visits in the first year.