ONA Expands Eye Health Screening in Rural DRC
ONA is making significant strides in bringing eye health screening closer to underserved communities across the Democratic Republic of Congo. Through our offline-first mobile platform, we are empowering frontline health workers to identify people at risk of vision problems and facilitate timely referrals to eye-care services.
Reaching Remote Communities
Access to eye care in rural and peri-urban areas of the DRC remains a significant challenge. Many communities are located far from ophthalmology clinics, and transportation barriers prevent people from seeking care until vision problems become severe.
ONA's mobile screening solution addresses this gap by bringing screening capabilities directly to communities. Health workers equipped with smartphones can conduct basic ophthalmic assessments without requiring internet connectivity, making the technology practical for low-resource settings.
Impact on the Ground
Since launching our pilot programs, ONA has enabled screenings in multiple communities across the DRC. Health workers report that the platform is intuitive and easy to use, allowing them to conduct screenings efficiently and identify individuals who need further evaluation.
ONA has transformed how we approach eye health in our community. We can now screen people during routine health visits and catch problems early before they lead to irreversible vision loss.
Early detection is crucial for preventing blindness from treatable conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive errors. By identifying at-risk individuals early, ONA helps ensure they receive appropriate care before it's too late.
- Offline functionality for low-connectivity areas
- Simple interface designed for frontline health workers
- Screening protocols validated by ophthalmologists
- Data capture for monitoring and evaluation
- Referral guidance for follow-up care
Looking Forward
As we prepare for our public launch in 2026, we are continuing to refine the platform based on feedback from health workers and communities. Our goal is to make ONA an essential tool for eye health screening across the DRC and beyond.
We invite NGOs, health institutions, and public health programs to partner with us in expanding access to early eye health screening.