Sight saving and life saving in Tanzania

Retinoblastoma is a rapidly developing cancer, in the cells of the retina, the light-sensitive cells of the eye. This potentially horrific childhood disease has one of the best cure rates of any cancer in the developed world (98%). However, like most things in the Developing World cure rates are much lower. In Tanzania, for example, mortality rates are between 80% and 100%.

In early 2008, we received an application from Trish Scanlon, a young Irish doctor working in Dares- Salaam, Tanzania. She informed us of her and her colleagues’ struggle to treat children affected by the cancer and the poor survival rate of what is, in more normal circumstances, an easily treatable disease.

The aim of the pilot project she proposed was to improve survival in Tanzanian children with the condition. She said that in the current situation the little patients were offered radiotherapy alone. This is often entirely inadequate and some cases unnecessary and disfiguring. In order to improve survival she outlined a budget that consisted of chemotherapy drugs that could save the lives of up to 35 children. How do you put a price on a child’s life or on a child’s eyesight? In April 2008, a modest funding of €7,500 from ElectricAid allowed the project go ahead.

A year on, we received her project report - one of partial success, but also one of heart breaking failure. Dr Scanlon had been able to reduce the mortality rate to 62%. This represents slower progress than was hoped, but young lives have been saved. Many of the children lived, many lost one or both eyes, and some died. She says that the biggest problems were late referrals and advanced disease due to lack of awareness and very poor local facilities.

Awareness among Tanzanian health professionals was low with many children sent home from hospitals showing the early signs retinoblastoma but without the condition being picked up.

As a result of the programme we supported and the lessons she has learnt over the last year Dr Scanlon is now planning a nationwide awareness campaign in Tanzania. She said, “If the children come earlier we can not only save their life but potentially save their eye as well”.

The children will be able to receive life saving chemotherapy before it’s too late. The campaign is due to start in Tanzania on Friday, October 8th to coincide with World Sight Day. She also hopes that the campaign will pick up thousands of congenital cataracts – which will save the sight of thousands of children.

ElectricAid will be with Dr Scanlon and her team in every step of this journey.