SreeKanth Ravindran International Director , Phaco Development at Alcon. (2)
Alcon, the global leader in eye care dedicated to helping people see brilliantly, has commemorated the first anniversary of its African Phaco Development Program (PD).
The milestone reflects the programme's significant achievements across South Africa, Kenya and Zambia, with plans for further regional expansion.
Alcon reports that it remains committed to the principle of “Skill Africa, by Africa, for Africa,” as it continues to enhance healthcare capacity and improve access to eye care across the continent.
According to the World Health Organization1, over 110 million people in Africa suffer from vision impairment, with cataracts responsible for 6.7 million cases. Key contributing factors include limited access to quality healthcare, a shortage of trained eye care professionals, and various socioeconomic challenges. As a result, a significant backlog of cataract surgeries persists, placing millions at risk of preventable blindness.
Jan Landman, Country Manager and Surgical Head for Alcon, said, “It's saddening to know that one in every six blind people live in Africa, along with millions of others who are grappling with some degree of visual impairment. Alcon's commitment to addressing such challenges is central to the mission of the African PD Program. We aim to change this narrative by improving healthcare capacity in Africa through action-oriented collaborations and training.
"True to our mission, over the past year, our African PD Program has trained 61 eye care professionals. Our goal is to train over 450 by 2029 and serve patients across the region. With plans for expansion into other countries, and through purposeful partnerships with Orbis International, we are working toward a sustainable impact on eye care across the continent," he added.
“This programme is a perfect example of what happens when people come together. It highlights the true Impact of action-oriented partnerships. At Orbis International, we recognize that no single organization can tackle the urgent challenges facing eye care across Africa. It is only through collaboration—leveraging expertise, resources, and a shared vision—that we can effectively address the needs of the millions suffering from preventable blindness on the continent”, said Dr. Hunter Cherwek, Vice President, Clinical Services and Technologies at Orbis International.
Since its inception in 2008, Alcon’s Phaco Development Program has facilitated training of over 6,900 surgeons in core and advanced phacoemulsification techniques, enabling the estimated performance of more than 11 million sight-restoring procedures across China, India, Russia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and South Africa. Through these efforts, Alcon is committed to improving access to quality eye care, strengthening local healthcare systems, and making a lasting difference in the fight against blindness.
In response to the pressing issue, Alcon, the global leader in eye care, has celebrated the first anniversary of its African Phaco Development Program (PD).
Launched in partnership with Orbis International, the programme has made significant strides in South Africa, Kenya and Zambia, providing critical training to eye care professionals.
Over the past year, 61 specialists have been trained, and Alcon plans to expand its efforts, aiming to train 450 more professionals by 2029 and expand to other regions across Africa.
The milestone highlights Alcon's commitment to building sustainable healthcare solutions across the continent. By enhancing skills and increasing access to cataract surgeries, the African PD Program is helping reduce the incidence of preventable blindness and improve the lives of millions.
Alcon helps people see brilliantly. As the global leader in eye care with a heritage spanning over 75 years, they offer the broadest portfolio of products to enhance sight and improve people’s lives. The Surgical and Vision Care products touch the lives of more than 260 million people in over 140 countries each year living with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases and refractive errors.
Its more than 25,000 associates are enhancing the quality of life through innovative products, partnerships with Eye Care Professionals and programs that advance access to quality eye care.
