Democratic Republic of Congo has a population of 65 million. It is a vast country with extensive mineral resources but the majority of the population live in abject poverty in rural areas.

Democratic Republic of Congo has a national blindness plan. Currently there are 44 ophthalmologists and 12 cataract surgeons working in Democratic Republic of Congo, 75% of whom are based in Kinshasa.

The most recent research from the government, in 2003, identifies 750,000 blind in Democratic Republic of Congo, of which 375,000 are caused by cataracts. At the same time only 4,528 cataract operations were conducted in 2003.

Right to Sight currently has one project in Democratic Republic of Congo

Shalina Eye Clinic, Lubumbashi

Current Status

• Private-Private Partnership model

• Assessment was done in March, 2007

• Hospital opened on 8th December 2007

RTS Objectives

• To facilitate the training of key staff, Congolese and Indian, in India.

• To establish a work plan owned by the clinic staff which would look to achieve 2,500 cataract operations and 25,000 out-patient visits in the first year.