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“The people of the United States through their support of this Helen Keller International project, recognize that every child who is rescued from blindness is lifted from darkness to the chance for a more productive life,” said U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza on a visit June 14 to the Hospital for the Blind Dr. Luis Sanchez Bulnes.
The U.S. government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) supports Helen Keller International (HKI) programs in Mexico and will provide over $800,000 for the five-year project. HKI programs work to reduce the prevalence of childhood blindness and to improve the quality of life of visually impaired Mexican children.
Hospital Director Dr. Jaime Villaseñor, hospital staff and representatives of HKI met with the Ambassador before touring the facilities and meeting with the young patients and their parents.
In 2002, HKI launched the Child Vision program in Mexico. Child Vision seeks to benefit visually challenged children by establishing primary eye care networks and combating cataract, low vision and refractive error.
In Mexico City, HKI through its partner institution Hospital de la Ceguera Dr. Luis Sanchez Bulnes, provides congenital cataract surgery as well as post-operative follow-up. To date, this program has treated 500 children.
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