The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), in partnership with Qatar Charity (QC) and Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), have launched a new 5-year initiative, Eyecare for Empowering Children in Africa (EYECA). The launch event was held under the patronage of H.E. Mr. Pierre Dimba, the Minister of Health, Public Hygiene, and Universal Health Coverage in Côte d’Ivoire. EYECA aims to treat eye diseases for children in schools across 13 countries in Africa, improving their quality of life and expanding their educational opportunities.

EYECA is a comprehensive program benefiting 13 countries, namely: Burkina Faso, Chad, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Somalia, and Togo. The program aims to screen 10 million children in primary and secondary schools and provide corrective eyeglasses, medical treatment, or surgeries when needed. Its ultimate objective is to reduce uncorrected refractive errors (URE) by 25% by 2029 while building the capacity of local health systems to provide sustainable and integrated eye care services. EYECA is building on the successful implementation of the Alliance to Fight Against Avoidable Blindness (AFAB) Program.

During the launch event, students from Lycée Moderne Yopougon ANDOKOI, Abidjan benefited from free eye screenings conducted by trained teachers, optometrists, and professionals. Children diagnosed with visual impairments received corrective eyeglasses or appropriate medical treatment on-site.

On behalf of H.E. the Minister of Health, Public Hygiene, and Universal Health Coverage, H.E. Mr. N’Guessan KOFFI, the Minister of Technical Education, Vocational Training, and Apprenticeship, stated, "It is with great honor that I launch this regional program today. I would like to warmly thank the IsDB, the ISFD, and all partners for their exemplary commitment to the visual health of children. This program marks a major step forward in improving their academic success and well-being. Let us join our efforts to ensure healthy vision and a promising future for every child.”

Highlighting ISFD’s significant role in this critical initiative, Dr. Hiba Ahmed, the ISFD Director General, said, “We are thrilled to celebrate the launch of EYECA, a vital initiative that builds upon over 15 years of success in combating avoidable blindness (AFAB) program across 13 IsDB member countries. ISFD remains dedicated to supporting this initiative as a key intervention to expand healthcare access in our member countries."

Mrs. May Babiker, Director of Cooperation & Capacity Development Department at IsDB, noted: "Since 2008, with the establishment of the Alliance to Fight Avoidable Blindness (AFAB), we have focused on sustainable initiatives to meet critical needs in eye health. The EYECA program reflects these priorities by enhancing local capacity and integrating eye care into national health systems."

Speaking on behalf of Qatar Charity, Mr. Hamad Salem AlJaber, Director of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, highlighted: “Qatar Charity is proud to join forces with our partners in EYECA, building on AFAB's remarkable legacy. The people of Qatar have always believed in the power of extending a helping hand to our brothers and sisters across the world; it's deeply rooted in our values and culture to support those in need. When we see that children are struggling with vision problems that affect their education and future potential, we know we must act. This isn't just about providing eyeglasses; it's about transforming lives and contributing to meaningful development that makes a real difference in communities across Africa. Through this partnership, we are turning our shared vision into reality, ensuring that no child's education is limited by preventable vision problems.”

Mrs. Lubna Dafaallah, Director of Capacity Development and Entrepreneurship, at the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) said: "On behalf of the BADEA, I commend the exceptional work of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in the Alliance to Fight Avoidable Blindness. This partnership, built on trust and inclusivity, exemplifies our shared commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable children. The EYECA program strengthens our mission to promote sustainable solutions for a brighter future."

It is worth mention that in addition to IsDB, ISFD, Qatar Charity, and BADEA, EYECA is supported by other strategic partners that provide significant resources and expertise. These include Secours Islamique France (SIF), Indonesian AID, and Direct Aid.