This document outlines KCCO’s approach to building capacity at the district level in Africa to meet VISION 2020 goals. Through a structured two-phase model—assessment and planning, followed by implementation with ongoing mentorship—KCCO helps hospitals and districts improve efficiency, community outreach, and service delivery. The strategy includes leadership development, operational improvements, staff training, and stronger management systems to ensure sustainable, comprehensive eye care for entire populations.
Des connaissances qui inspirent l’action. Des outils qui soutiennent le changement.
Resources
At KCCO, we believe that sharing practical knowledge is just as powerful as delivering care.
Our growing resource library supports eye care professionals, program managers, policymakers, researchers and educators across Africa with tools designed to strengthen systems, train teams and scale sustainable impact.
Whether you’re developing a national plan, launching a hospital program, or conducting training in remote areas. These resources are built to inform and empower your work.
Vision 2020
Results from a KCCO workshop on the cost of outreach services in eastern Africa
This report summarizes findings from a KCCO-led workshop assessing the cost of eye care outreach services in eastern Africa. It focuses on community-based strategies for identifying and transporting cataract patients for surgery. The study found that outreach costs per cataract patient transported range between $35–45, with total surgery costs averaging around $100 per patient. These insights support VISION 2020 planning by highlighting the importance of budgeting for both outreach and hospital-based services to meet cataract surgery targets.
Using evidence for VISION 2020 “district” planning
This report summarizes a four-day workshop held at KCCO in Moshi, Tanzania, focused on improving the use of evidence in planning VISION 2020 eye care programs at the district level in Africa. It outlines key data requirements, planning processes, disease-specific strategies, and monitoring mechanisms to ensure effective, data-driven service delivery. The report also emphasizes the importance of stakeholder coordination and the use of updated blindness prevalence estimates to improve planning accuracy and implementation outcomes.
Microfinance and Health
This review from the explores the evidence supporting task-shifting in eye care, specifically the training and use of non-physician cataract surgeons (NPCS) to address cataract-related blindness in Sub-Saharan Africa. Given the shortage and poor distribution of ophthalmologists, NPCS (often clinical officers or ophthalmic nurses with additional training) have been deployed in several countries to increase access to cataract surgery. The report analyzes their effectiveness, quality of surgical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and productivity, with case studies from Kenya, The Gambia, Tanzania, Malawi, and Ghana. While the evidence shows that NPCS can deliver high-quality surgeries, particularly when well-trained, supervised, and supported, issues such as post-training deployment, resource availability, and systemic health barriers remain challenges. The review concludes that while NPCS are not a universal solution, they are a viable strategy in underserved areas and should be integrated thoughtfully into national eye health programs.
Task-shifting: Ophthalmologist to Non physician cataract surgeon: A review of the evidence
This in-depth review, prepared by the Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology (KCCO), explores the concept of task-shifting in eye care — specifically the training and utilization of non-physician cataract surgeons (NPCS) to address the shortage of ophthalmologists in sub-Saharan Africa. The report presents evidence on the effectiveness, quality, productivity, and acceptance of NPCS based on studies and data from countries including Kenya, Tanzania, The Gambia, Malawi, and Ghana. Findings show that NPCS can deliver acceptable surgical outcomes, especially when trained well, supervised, and supported by strong health systems. However, challenges remain with post-training support, rural deployment, regulatory frameworks, and overall system capacity. The report concludes that while NPCS are a practical solution in some contexts, they must be integrated into well-supported eye health programs to be effective and sustainable.
Willingness and ability to pay for cataract surgery: a study in Tanzania
This report outlines strategies for effective district-level eye health planning in Africa under VISION 2020, emphasizing the use of local data to improve services for conditions like cataract, glaucoma, refractive error, and childhood blindness.
Human Resources Development for middle level eye-care workers in Eastern Africa
A regional report summarizing strategies and challenges in developing human resources for eye care in Eastern Africa, with a focus on training and deployment of mid-level eye care workers to meet VISION 2020 goals.
Articles on Eye Care or Ophthalmology [1995–2018] – Kenya
A comprehensive annotated bibliography of 147 peer-reviewed articles published between 1995 and 2018 related to eye care and ophthalmology in Kenya. Topics include blindness surveys, cataract, childhood blindness, glaucoma, trachoma, diabetic retinopathy, vitamin A deficiency, and more. This resource supports research, planning, and clinical practice in eye health across Kenya.
Checklist for setting up an education programme
A comprehensive checklist designed to guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of health education training programmes, with a focus on eye care and VISION 2020 goals.
Assessing the impact of cataract surgeons trained in eastern Africa for VISION 2020
A regional evaluation of the productivity, challenges, and outcomes of cataract surgeons trained in Eastern Africa to support VISION 2020, with recommendations to enhance service delivery, equipment access, and community outreach.