Kham Eye Center (KEC) is located in the western region of China and southeast of the Tibet Plateau. This region has a staggering altitude of 11,483 feet, extremely harsh weather and poor transportation infrastructure. Given that the Kham population lives at a high altitude where they endure strong ultraviolet rays, it is estimated that the prevalence of blinding eye disease like cataract in people over 50 years of age may be 2 times higher than in mainland China.
Seva has supported eye programs in Kandze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (TAP) for ten years. In 2006, Seva and Kandze Prefecture Hospital formally partnered to support the creation of the Kham Eye Center (KEC) in Dartsedo. The construction of Kham Eye Center was completed recently with support from the Kandze Prefecture Government, Kandze Prefecture Health Bureau and Kandze People’s Hospital. Seva supports human resource development, technical and managerial mentorship, and provides ophthalmic equipment, instruments and supplies.
Kham Eye Center aspires to be a model for national eye care. Key eye care specialists from KEC have received training in new surgical techniques and management and teaching skills at Aravind Eye Care System. As a result of these innovations, KEC is becoming the premiere training and surgical center for Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu and Qinghai provinces and the TAP.
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