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SEE has been providing eye care for underserved individuals in Ecuador for over 15 years. Since 2017, SEE has organized 40 programs in Ecuador, performing over 2,000 surgeries and serving over 7,000 patients. Key locations include San Lorenzo Clinic (San Lorenzo), FUNCRISA (Guayaquil), Clinica Fibuspam (Riobamba), and El Cielo para los Niños (Guayaquil).
In Guayaquil, SEE has partnered with Fundación Cristiano para la Salud to equip their clinic so that they are able to provide high-quality care year-round. Through a partnership with Vision Outreach International, we host an annual program in San Lorenzo to provide free surgeries and eye screenings. Oftentimes, these free clinics are the only opportunity for many patients to get their eyes checked and receive treatment.
SEE also has a strong partnership with FIBUSPAM in Riobamba. Each year, we host four to five clinics, where our teams treat about 200 children and adults for a wide range of cases including cataracts, corneal transplants, and oculoplastics.
Ecuador has a strong national health care system that provides free medical care to all residents regardless of income. Almost two-thirds of the population relies on public health programs. However, many of these programs do not cover eye care.
An estimated 30,000 Ecuadorians suffer from blindness. Most of these cases are due to cataracts and glaucoma, which are often treatable and/or avoidable. However, since health care programs do not cover eye care, the majority can’t afford treatment on their own. Additionally, many of those who are blind live in remote communities that are hard to reach. This creates a huge challenge for them to travel to eye care clinics or even find information about the possibility of getting treated.
Mail donations to:
SEE International
PO Box 981263
W. Sacramento, CA 95798-1263
Home office address:
6500 Hollister, Suite 120
Goleta, CA 93117
Tax ID: #31-1682275