Organisation: Light For The World
Location: Austria
Photographer: E.Fullerton

“People come from all over the country to see me and that is really great,” says Dr Vasco da Gama, the first paediatric ophthalmologist in Mozambique. “For me I’m happy, because I save the vision of kids.”

Dr Isaac Vasco da Gama was, until recently, the only ophthalmologist dedicated to child eye health in Mozambique, a country of 32 million. He dreams of a day when all Mozambican children have access to quality eye care. 

“I like things that are difficult, that other people don’t want to do,” he says.

Dr Vasco da Gama received sponsorship from Light for the World under the 1, 2, 3, I can see! programme to become an ophthalmologist.

He now treats around 50 children a week at Quelimane Central Hospital, where he is head of the eye department, and performs about five surgeries.

“People come from all over the country to see me and that is really great,” Dr Vasco da Gama says. 

“For me I’m happy, because I save the vision of kids.”

Despite numerous challenges, restoring a child’s sight and seeing the reactions of their grateful parents makes the work worthwhile.

“Sometimes I have thought I’d chosen the wrong speciality,” Dr Vasco da Gama says. “But seeing those reactions is the best gift I have received. It encourages me a lot to work and think we can make progress.”