Project Brief
In partnership with New Hope Leprosy Trust India, Games 4 Good is on a mission to see people across 485 villages cured from cataract caused blindness. With cataract surgery needs surpassing the state average (6% vs. 4%), focused intervention is needed to bridge this healthcare gap and help people to thrive. Addressing these challenges is particularly vital given the harsh jungle climate that complicates travel and access to medical care.
Location: India
Funds Needed: $14,400
The Need
Cataracts develop as cloudy patches on the eye’s lens, gradually worsening and leading to blurred vision or blindness if untreated. For decades, New Hope India has identified a critical need for cataract surgery, particularly among elderly tribal communities living in poverty. These communities must also contend with the harsh jungle climate, making travel to medical facilities arduous and dangerous. The elderly play a vital role in family care, enabling others to hunt and gather food. Vision loss makes this increasingly difficult, and making them socially marginalized, and potentially leading to food scarcity. Without proper medical intervention and safe transport, reaching or returning from surgery becomes a dangerous ordeal. In a region where government healthcare is limited and access is impeded by rugged terrain and extreme weather, the need for effective medical intervention is even more pressing.
The Solution
Access to a dedicated vehicle to transport patients from distant villages and facilitate safe post-surgery travel will massively increase New Hope’s capacity to see lasting change. This is especially vital in the Raghubari area, where the rugged, jungle-clad terrain and extreme weather conditions make patient travel risky. A reliable vehicle will ensure patients arrive safely for their procedures and can return home without jeopardising their recovery. This commitment will not only continue to prevent blindness but also reinforce patient safety, ensuring that their newly restored sight is protected from complications arising from difficult travel conditions.
The Opportunity
With the addition of a specialised transport vehicle, New Hope India will be able to coordinate patient transport efficiently. This vehicle will be essential for elderly patients, who are most vulnerable to complications during their journey. It will also be available for urgent responses in the 55 villages they serve, offering critical support during emergencies like pregnancies and accidents, even in the region’s challenging jungle climate.
