Board of Trustees

Together, Rev. Simon and Dr. Ramesh bring a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and passion to Eyecare for Zambia. They are committed to improving access to eye care services in Zambia and reducing the incidence of preventable blindness and visual impairment. Rev. Simon and Dr. Ramesh work closely with a team of dedicated volunteers, including eye care professionals, community organizers, and fundraisers, to ensure that Eyecare for Zambia’s mission is achieved. They are committed to providing sustainable, high-quality eye care services to underserved communities in Zambia and empowering individuals and communities to take charge of their eye health.

At Eyecare for Zambia, we are grateful for the dedication and leadership of Rev. Simon and Dr. Ramesh. Their commitment to improving eye health in Zambia has inspired many and has helped us make a significant impact in the lives of Zambians.

Rev. Simon Nkole

Rev. Simon Nkole is a native of Zambia and an ordained minister with a passion for community development. He has over 15 years of experience working with underserved communities in Zambia and has dedicated his career to improving access to healthcare services for those in need.

Dr. Ramesh Sivaraj

MS, DNB, FRCS Ed, FRCOphth
Consultant Ophthalmologist (Medical Retina)
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Visiting Senior Lecturer - School of Life & Health Sciences, Aston University

Rev. Simon Nkole

Dr. Ramesh Sivaraj

Dr. Ramesh Sivaraj is an accomplished ophthalmologist with over 20 years of experience in the field of eye care. He has worked in various countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, providing quality eye care services to underserved communities. Dr. Sivaraj is a consultant ophthalmologist and vitreoretinal surgeon at Midland Eye in the United Kingdom. He is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and a member of the British and Eire Vitreoretinal Society.

Dr. Ian Corner

PhD, MPhil, MCMI

Dr Ian brings vast knowledge to the ECFZ from the corporate world. He mobilises medical equipment and machines. He is a passionate STEM Ambassador and Registered Data Protection Officer. He is the liaison officer and communicates with the charity Commission to ensure the charity is operating within the law. He is passionate about helping the underprivileged people and to develop patient record system that is easy to use forPerson-Centered care.

Dr Anna Gao

MBChB, BmedSc (Hon), PhD

Dr Anna Gao is a Consultant Ophthalmologists and she brings vast experience and knowledge to ECFZ. On her last charity visit to Zambia, she attended to about 500 patients within five working days.

Eyecare for Zambia was founded by Rev. Simon Nkole and Dr. Ramesh Sivaraj, two dedicated individuals with a passion for improving eye health in Zambia

Rev. Simon Nkole is a native of Zambia and an ordained minister with a passion for community development. He has over 15 years of experience working with underserved communities in Zambia and has dedicated his career to improving access to healthcare services for those in need.

Dr. Ramesh Sivaraj is an accomplished ophthalmologist with over 20 years of experience in the field of eye care. He has worked in various countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, providing quality eye care services to underserved communities. Dr. Sivaraj is a consultant ophthalmologist and vitreoretinal surgeon at Midland Eye in the United Kingdom. He is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and a member of the British and Eire Vitreoretinal Society.

Volunteers

Volunteers are the backbone
of this charity mission

Board of Trustees

Eyecare for Zambia was founded by Rev. Simon Nkole and Dr. Ramesh Sivaraj, two dedicated individuals with a passion for improving eye health in Zambia.

Challenges preventing Zambians from accessing proper eye care

Access to quality eye care services is a major challenge for many Zambians. There are several factors that prevent individuals from
accessing proper eye care, including:

Limited Resources

Zambia has limited resources for eye health, with few hospitals and clinics providing eye care services. This makes it difficult for individuals living in rural areas to access eye care services.

Shortage of Trained Eye Care Professionals

Zambia has a shortage of trained eye care professionals, including ophthalmologists, optometrists, and ophthalmic nurses. This shortage makes it difficult for individuals to access quality eye care services.

Limited Education

A lack of education about eye health and eye diseases prevents individuals from seeking proper eye care. Many individuals are not aware of the signs and symptoms of eye diseases and may not know that treatment is available.

Cultural Beliefs and Practices

Cultural beliefs and practices can also prevent individuals from seeking proper eye care. For example, some individuals may believe that eye diseases are caused by witchcraft or curses, and may seek traditional healers rather than medical professionals.

Poverty

Poverty is a major barrier to accessing proper eye care services in Zambia. Many individuals cannot afford to pay for eye exams, medications, or surgeries.

Eyecare for Zambia is working to address these challenges by providing access to quality eye care services, training local eye care professionals, and raising awareness about the importance of eye health. Through our work, we aim to break down barriers to accessing eye care and empower individuals and communities to take charge of their eye health.

EYECARE FOR
ZAMBIA CHARITY