The Problem:

Ethiopia has the world’s highest rate of blindness; over 60% of children in the Amhara region are infected with trachoma, and more than half of these children will die within one year of losing sight.

This specific problem is widespread in Ethiopia and dramatically affects the daily lives of millions of people, most of whom cannot afford nor access the necessary care needed to survive. Unfortunately, the problems these people face get overlooked in the media. We want to change that.

80% percent of blindness in Ethiopia is preventable or curable, yet many physicians move out of the country due to severe under-compensation ($200 - $300 per month), poor working conditions, and no continuing medical education opportunity.

"90% of my graduating class from medical school have moved on to more profitable countries to practice; I want to provide quality treatment in my community," said Dr. Guadie Sharew, the head physician consultant for Seed of Health and former Dean of Ophthalmology at Bahir Dar University.

Ethiopian residents are unable to receive treatment or preventative care due to the lack of accessible health services. Compared to the ratio of 1 ophthalmologist per 12,000 Americans, one Ethiopian ophthalmologist serves 70 times that number: 843,000 Ethiopians.

Who We Are:

Seed of Health is a 501(c)3 certified non-profit organization founded by UC Berkeley students and alumni with the mission of improving population health for underserved communities around the world.
Our goal is to provide a clinic as a ‘seed of health’ for the community of Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. We hope the clinic will be a pillar of good health and serve as a source of inspiration for local physicians.

The Solution:

Seed of Health will establish an ophthalmology clinic on the outskirts of Bahir Dar, Ethiopia in order to serve both urban and rural communities. With the help of Dr. Hiwot Degineha, a local ophthalmologist, Seed of Health will make a profound difference by allowing quality treatment to people from all economic levels. This will not only address the brain drain of specialists leaving the area, but it will also allow patients to access quality care and educational services.

"The addition of this clinic is crucial for the growth of the Ethiopian health care system. We don’t aim to change their cultural practices or beliefs. We merely want to increase accessibility for both urban and rural patients and provide a higher quality of care." said Rachel Bigley, Director of Public Relations at Seed of Health and fourth year Molecular and Cell Biology student at UC Berkeley.

The clinic will empower local physicians, train mid-level health care providers, and conduct epidemiology research to treat microbial keratitis, a major cause of blindness. In January, members of Seed of Health are planning to travel to Bahir Dar to launch the clinic opening. However, in order to do this, we need your help.

How You Can Help:

Funds from the campaign will be used to hire Dr. Hiwot Degineha as our full-time ophthalmologist, hire staff, rent clinic space, and buy medical equipment and supplies. One of the most important pieces of equipment we will need is an ophthalmic ultrasound. This unique device is a diagnostic tool that can only be found in the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. If we can provide our clinic with this opportunity, we can pave the path for a bright new future for preventing blindness in Bahir Dar.

Where Your Money Will Go:

Trichiasis procedure: $10

Cataract Surgery: $50

Training of Mid-Level Provider: $300

Clinic Launch: $25,000

Individual costs for operating the clinic range from cents to thousands of dollars. Any contribution you are able to provide will make a huge difference in the life and vision of another human being. You have the power to make a tangible impact in Ethiopia's health care. Please contribute today.

NOTE: All gifts are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.

For more information, please visit our website at www.seedofhealth.org.