Letter from the Executive Director

By the time you read this newsletter, I will have returned from the Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship in Oxford, England. The theme of this year's event is "The Power of Proximity." Here at Seva, we are well aware of the power of getting up close and personal, and how important it is to the work we do with and through our partners around the globe.

Increasing Access to Sight-Saving Surgery in Western Tanzania

Sometimes a little support can go a long way. Bugando Medical Centre in Western Tanzania serves 16 million people but could not perform cataract surgeries on site for lack of an operating microscope. The ophthalmologist would have to transport the patient, staff and supplies to another hospital, perform the surgery, then transport them back to Bugando.

The Promise of Telemedicine

Telemedicine, which allows patients to communicate with a doctor via videoconference and share test results electronically in real time, has entered the mainstream. Studies show that telemedicine can provide care comparable to in-person visits in fields such as mental health, substance abuse, dermatology, diabetes management, and yes, eye care.