Medical programmes

CBM provides medication surgery and specialised equipment to manage blindness, deafness, cerebral palsy, club foot, polio, malaria and malnutrition as well as a host of other illness.

Mental and physical impairments are more difficult for people to cope with in the developing world. CBM gives support in a variety of ways: through surgery, medication, rehabilitation and education. The aim is to help each person to be as independent as possible, and enable them to take an active part in their community.

• There are 250 million people suffering from a hearing impairment, with two thirds living in the developing world. CBM currently supports 134 projects for the deaf, including 69 schools. We also help prevent hearing loss through primary ear and hearing care programmes and by providing effective hearing aids.
• Incidents of brain injuries are more common in poor countries due to lack of obstetric care and also because of malaria which effects babies. Cerebral palsy results from a brain injury at birth and brings a host of difficulties for the child and mother. Our treatment programme involves community education and support for mothers and we provide material support in the form of walkers, special chairs and shoes.
• Clubfoot is one of the most common congenital deformities worldwide and affects at least one out of every 1,000 babies born. Lack of immediate treatment leads to a painful condition that can only be corrected by surgery, at an average cost of €200.00 per child.
• Many years of civil unrest in Uganda and across Africa meant that it was impossible to immunise against Polio. Many children are now suffering the after effects as polio causes paralysis of muscles, most frequently affecting lower limbs. There are thousands of children literally crawling around rural villages as a result. Surgery can enable a child to stand and walk but when this isn't possible a wheelchair can provide mobility. A full treatment programme of up to 12 months costs an average of €207 per child, and wheelchairs are approximately €118.
• Malnutrition and malaria throughout Africa mean that infections of the bones and joints are common in children. They have weak immune mechanisms and many live in unhygienic surroundings, so bacteria can easily enter their little bodies. Infected bone can be removed during surgery, but often reconstruction to the damaged limb is also necessary. An operation to repair an infected joint costs in the region of €118.