Zambia
Refractive error and assistive technology community health (REACH)
©Sound Seekers
COUNTRY PROGRAMME KEY INFORMATION
Programme type:
Grant Investment:
Duration:
Implementing
Partners:
Partners:
Functional domains:
USAID direct funds
2.0 Million
2023-2025
Sightsavers
Vision
COUNTRY DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Total population:
GNI Per Capital (US$):
AT Unmet Need (%):
20.7 Million
1,290
-
Refractive error and assistive technology community health (REACH)
Map of Zambia
Objectives of the programme: To expand access to affordable high-quality screening, refractive services and spectacle provision that are responsive to population needs and create a favourable environment for sustainable long-term investment and scale-up in assistive technology.
Programme description: ATscale worked with Sightsavers to assess and improve the assistive technology landscape in Zambia. This included conducting a rapid assessment (rATA), drafting a national priority assistive product list and training school staff, community and district health workers in primary eye care.
Programme results:
 | The programme has successfully completed the rATA, which led to the registration of 3,669 persons with disabilities. The study findings have contributed to the development of the Priority Assistive Product List (APL). |
 | During the programme, over 150,000 adults and children were screened, leading to over 8,700 referrals for refractions and over 5,000 referrals for other eye conditions. Nearly 6,000 pairs of spectacles have been dispensed. |
