Supporters
Institutional partners
Our institutional partners are a community of health care institutions, initiatives and agencies from around the world. Like us, they focus on the prevention and treatment of blindness and visual impairment.
Kilimanjaro Center for Community Ophthalmology (KCCO)
In 2001, Seva Canada helped establish the Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology (KCCO) in Moshi, Tanzania. KCCO is the only community ophthalmology training institution dedicated to reducing blindness in Africa.
KCCO’s vision for eye care in Africa is a continent where all Africans can access high-quality eye care services provided by Africans for Africans.
With the help of the Seva Canada, KCCO has rapidly expanded its training programs, developed community service projects, and provided consulting and mentoring to local eye care programs throughout Africa. We support KCCO to strengthen eye care programs with an emphasis on outreach and community ophthalmology.
With KCCO’s help, these programs provide affordable and accessible eye care services and multi-disciplinary training opportunities for clinical and management personnel.
Aravind Eye Care System
Aravind Eye Hospital was founded in 1976, by Dr. G. Venkataswamy, a man known to many simply as Dr. V. Seva has partnered with Dr. V and Aravind from the beginning, supporting the expansion of its 11-bed hospital into the comprehensive eye care system that it is today with more than 14 hospitals and 110 Community Eye Centres (Vision Centres).
In 1992, we used Canadian International Development Agency money to help Aravind to establish Aurolab, the first producer of high quality consumable products, at affordable prices. These products were used to revolutionize cataract surgical care in low-income countries. Aurolab has become a major producer of most eye care materials and equipment, now provided at affordable prices to over 130 countries.
Our support also helped establish the Lions Aravind Institute of Community Ophthalmology (LAICO), the first training centre in Asia dedicated to the prevention of blindness. In addition to offering world class training and certificate programs in a wide range of management topics, LAICO coordinates Aravind’s clinical training programs in ophthalmology and related professions.
Aravind is world renowned for its innovative service models and creative methods to share them. We have collaborated with Aravind in spreading these innovations among all Seva partners.
Seva Foundation
Seva Foundation is our sister organization based in Berkeley, California. Founded in 1978, Seva Foundation is a U.S.-based charitable organization.
Seva Canada and Seva Foundation are separate and distinct organizations that raise funds in our respective countries to pursue our common mission of ending avoidable blindness. Together, we manage our three country offices in Tibet, Nepal and Cambodia, and collaboratively work with our network of international partners to deliver life-changing eye care in developing countries around the world.
International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)
Seva Canada is a member of IAPB, the overarching alliance for the global eye health sector, with more than 250 organisations in over 100 countries, working together for a world where everyone has universal access to affordable, accessible and inclusive eye care and rehabilitation services. Founded in 1975, IAPB member organisations include international charities, eye hospitals, academic institutes, professional bodies and corporate organisations.
The Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH)
Seva Canada is a member of the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH) which is a membership of more than 100 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), academic institutions, health professional associations and private companies committed to advancing the health and rights of women, children and adolescents globally. Together, we represent Canada in championing the health rights and needs of the world’s most marginalized people.
The British Columbia Council for International Cooperation (BCCIC)
Seva Canada is a member of the British Columbia Council for International Cooperation (BCCIC), a coalition of international development organizations. Through relationship-building with other networks, BCCIC works toward its goal of achieving sustainable global development in a peaceful and healthy environment with social justice, human dignity and participation for all.
