# Eritrea blindness control campaign

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/eritrea-blindness-control-campaign
> Updated: 2026-08-22T16:35:58.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2.

Between July 20 and July 26, 2026, a Sudanese Al-Beser Ophthalmology team and Eritrean medical experts conducted a cataract and eye surgery campaign at Keren Referral Hospital. Following the screening of approximately 3,000 patients, 406 individuals underwent surgery and others received eyeglasses. 

Alem Zekarias, head of Blindness Control at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the importance of early treatment for cataracts, trachoma, and related diseases. The mission was part of a broader national campaign to control blindness in Eritrea and represented one of 15 similar missions conducted by the Al-Beser team.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-22: Dr. Saleh Hassan Zein performs cataract surgeries in free medical camp

Dr. Saleh Hassan Zein performed cataract surgeries during a free medical camp to restore vision to patients, including a woman who had been unable to see clearly for five years.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dr-saleh-hassan-zein-performs-cataract-surgeries-in-free-medical-camp

### 2026-07-31: Eritrea cataract campaign treats over 400 patients

A Sudanese ophthalmology team and Eritrean experts performed 406 cataract surgeries on over 400 patients at Keren Referral Hospital in July 2026, part of the national blindness‑control campaign.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eritrea-cataract-campaign-treats-over-400-patients

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Cite as: Eritrea blindness control campaign. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/eritrea-blindness-control-campaign