The 2024 conference of Fondation CBM Luxembourg brings together more than 80 participants in the auditorium at Hôpitaux Robert Schuman (HRS)
Key program updates included the trip to Angola by two CBM Board Directors, the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding with IONA, a local partner, as well as the progress made in training, surgical procedures and ophthalmological equipment
Fondation CBM Luxembourg held its annual conference on October 10th, World Sight Day. The CBM Board Directors presented the projects for the prevention and treatment of blindness in developing countries to 80 of their friends, donors and partners.
As always, CBM was committed to organizing a high-quality event to draw the public’s attention to this cause. “We are delighted to organize this event with our partners, HRS and CDV (Centre pour le Développement des Compétences relatives à la Vue), and to welcome a director of the Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted as a speaker. By working together, we can bring the problem of preventable blindness into the spotlight,” said Diane Wolter, President of Fondation CBM Luxembourg.
Dr Marc Berna, Director of HRS, echoed the feeling: “We are delighted to host the annual Fondation CBM Luxembourg Conference on World Sight Day, an important date for us at HRS. This conference, accompanied by information and awareness stands, as well as an exhibition of artworks created by visually impaired artists from CDV, reflects our commitment to solidarity with people affected by eye diseases. These actions also embody our desire to promote the importance of prevention and health education to preserve visual health.”
According to the World Health Organization, at least 2.2 billion people are visually impaired or blind. The people most affected are those living in rural areas, people on low incomes, women, the elderly and people with disabilities. The leading causes of visual impairment and blindness worldwide are refractive errors and cataracts. In addition, cataract surgery is highly cost-effective and leads to significant improvements in quality of life.
Two Board Directors of CBM Luxembourg, Dr Michelle Berna-Thill and Isabelle Schwall, as well as Lucie Fernandes da Silva, a nurse at HRS, presented the latest news from CBM’s project in Angola. They reported on their on-site visit in January 2024 and the training for doctors and nurses conducted on-site. During their visit, CBM signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with its local partner IONA. After three years of joint achievements, CBM and IONA wish to continue to collaborate on the same themes for the coming three years. Dr Berna-Thill also discussed new ophthalmic equipment that CBM donated to IONA, including a phacoemulsifier.
Mark Schmid highlighted the importance of training in the sustainability of CBM’s activities. Frank Groben, Director of the CDV, presented the Erliefnismobil and its tour of Luxembourg schools, as well as the public days in Luxembourg City.
Another highlight of this 2024 edition was the visit of Terje Iversen as a guest speaker. Terje Iversen has more than 30 years of experience in program management for the Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted. He shared his expertise in the field of international development and eye health care, particularly in Africa. He also expressed his vision for the future and gave ideas for further developing CBM’s projects in Angola.
To close the event, participants were invited to a temporary exhibition to admire the artworks of the CDV students. The exhibition runs at HRS until mid-December.