Lifeline Express China
Lifeline Express is a
The development of Lifeline Express is supported by the
Mission
Lifeline Express restores sight to the cataract patients in rural China. The Ministry of Health estimates that 1 million cataract patients remain uncured, with an increase of 500,000 new cases every year.[1] There has been an increase in the number of young people in remote areas suffering from cataracts due to unsatisfactory hygiene conditions and demanding physical labor; and, more and more cases are diagnosed as genetically inherited. Lifeline Express brings back sight to cataract sufferers, allowing them to start working in the fields again and helps poverty-stricken areas to expand the work force, thus improving workers' livelihoods. While working on the eye-train, doctors are trained for future medical development.[2]
History
This organisation has replicated the
In 2002, the Chinese Foundation for Lifeline Express was established and widened the network of sponsorship.
Service
Eye-train
Over the past decade, the eye-trains of Lifeline Express have visited over 27 Chinese provinces, cities and autonomous regions and cured more than 100,000 cataract patients in remote and poverty-stricken areas of China. Lifeline Express' hospital trains visit 12 locations and perform over 11,000 surgeries each year. Trains remain at each location for three months, performing 25 free eye operations every day for a total of about 1,500 patients having their eyesight restored at each stop.
The first eye-train was launched in 1997, the second in 1999, the third in 2002, and the fourth in 2009.[4][5]
There are 12 team members on each train, including doctors, nurses, engineering technician and administrative staff recruited from mainland hospitals. The travel and stay on each eye-train running the daily operations. Volunteer
There are four compartments on each eye-train. Each train carries its own medical equipment and eye-care technology. Other facilities are also available on the train:[6]
- Consultation clinic
- Sanitization room
- 2 Operating rooms
- Recovery room
- Multi-function conference room
- Living quarters for medical and other staff
Microscopic Eye Surgery Training Centre
Lifeline Express has set up 12 Microscopic Eye Surgery Centres to train eye-doctors in China. The Centres are equipped with the latest surgical equipment and eye-care technology. Its ultimate goal is to set up centres in every province the eye-train visits, namely the less-developed, remote provinces. Doctors can receive training and sit for the global exam host by the International Council of Ophthalmology.[7]
Solar Hot Water System
In the past, many people living in remote areas of China could only bath in ponds during summers, and often could not bath in the cold water during fierce winters. Hygiene condition deteriorated and diseases raged. In 2006, Lifeline Express started a new project in China: building solar hot water systems for the rural schools to supply hot water for village students.[8]
Awards
Year | Organization | Award |
---|---|---|
2005 | State Council National Award-Issuing Ceremony on Ethnic Unity and Progress | National Award on Enhancing Ethnic Unity and Progress |
2005 | China Charity Federation, Ministry of Civil Affairs of PRC | China Charity Award |
2006 | The State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development | China Poverty Eradication Award[10] |
2008 | China Charity Federation, Ministry of Civil Affairs of PRC | China Charity Award[11] |
See also
- List of charities in China
- List of NGOs in China
- Railway surgery
References
- Xinhua News, 2009-06-30
- ^ "Mission", Lifeline Express Hong Kong Foundation
- ^ http://www.chinadevelopmentbrief.com/dingo/Sector/Special-Needs--Disability/2-52-0-136-0-0.html
- Xinhuanet, 2002-11-27
- PRC, 2007
- ^ "A Story About Lifeline Express", Lifeline Express Training Web
- ^ "The Birth of Microsurgical Eye Training Centers", Lifeline Express Training Web
- ^ "LIFELINE EXPRESS SOLAR HOT WATER SYSTEM FOR VILLAGE SCHOOLS", Lifeline Express Training Web
- PRC, 2007-03-05.
- ^ "UNDP Wins Honor At China Poverty Eradication Awards", China CSR, 2006-10-18.
- ^ "民政部公示2008年度“中华慈善奖”名单", Ministry of Civil Affairs, 2008-11-26.