Author Archives: Sarah Connellan

The Excellence in Ophthalmology Vision Award (XOVA) is an award programme sponsored by Novartis. The programme provides funding, in the form of a grant, to medical specialists who have devised initiatives that are expected to have a significant impact on unmet needs in the field of ophthalmology. Every year, countries throughout Europe are invited to submit proposals for funding. In December 2011 Right to Sight’s proposal to build a “State of the Art Cataract Surgery Training Centre in Rift Valley, Kenya” was selected to win the XOVA award.

“Novartis is delighted to sponsor the XOVA programme for countries throughout Europe and it is very rewarding to see an Irish proposal succeed in obtaining funding, amongst countless other entries, particularly when it is as deserving as Right to Sight” said Loretto Callaghan, Managing Director of Novartis Ireland.

The successful proposal aims to fund the creation of economic sustainability in an established, quality, cataract surgery centre serving a rural destitute population, with limited possibilities for cross subsidied services from paying patients. Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in Kenya (43%) where the annual incidence rate is more than 14,500 new cases. Kenya has only 62 ophthalmologists for 39 million people. Right to Sight is focused on solving the avoidable blindness crisis in Africa by providing quality training and support to African ophtalmologists. This award from Novartis will make a very significant difference in advancing the efforts of Right to Sight in Kenya.