The PBF Memorial Clinic has successfully completed the third round of the eye treatment campaign.

It has been more than six months since the PBF memorial clinic fully started health care service. The clinic has done a lot to help people by offering free eye treatment in addition to basic health care. The people of Lalibela and the surroundings have greatly benefited from the clinic’s services, with many individuals experiencing improved vision and overall health. The success of the eye treatment campaign has inspired the clinic to expand its services and reach even more people in need of medical care.

The history is linked with a monk called Aba ZeDewel (Aba Bell), who was known in Lalibela for his service at the Lalibela rock-hewn churches. He was from Gondar originally, but he served Lalibela church for half a century. He was famous for ringing the bell during liturgies and church appointments.

Peter Bachmann had met him before, 20 years ago. In addition to ringing a church bell, he was also ringing Peter’s heart bell. Since that time, Peter’s heart has been in Lalibela, and he felt a strong connection to the community. This led him to establish many important projects that improve the livelihood status of people in order to give back to the place that had touched his heart so deeply.

One of the most important projects after 20 years is the PBF Memorial Clinic. Many countryside elderly people, destitute, priests, and monks like Aba Bell today get a cataract and other eye treatments in return for Aba Bell’s ringing. Though Father Bell passed away five years ago, his ring is still on Peter’s hand today to continue his social works and honor his legacy.

Ethiopia faces a high prevalence of blindness and low vision, with 91.2% and 87.4% of cases being preventable or treatable. The foremost causes of blindness in Ethiopia show that cataracts were responsible for 50% of the blindness, trachoma 11.5%, corneal opacities and refractive error count 8% each, and glaucoma 5.2%. Similarly, the major causes of low vision were cataracts (42.3%), refractive errors (33.3%), and trachoma (7.7%). Rural areas and females are more susceptible due to factors like wood fires, open defecation, and older age. Causes include cataracts, trachoma, corneal opacities, refractive errors, and glaucoma.

PBF understands the preventable and avoidable health problems of the community and works on its own problem combat strategies in various parts of Ethiopia. Lalibela and surrounding districts have a high incidence of blindness. It has recognized the severity of the magnitude of eye problems and enhanced the commitment to improve the situation clinically to reduce the risk of blindness in the community.

Every three months, PBF conducts a free, all-inclusive cataract campaign that includes surgical procedures, health promotion, education, and primary eye care. Since PBF Memorial Clinic started health service in April 2025,  it is launched 3 Sight-saving massive campaigns.

The 3^rd round of the free cataract surgery massive campaign was held October 9-12/2025. The campaign marks an important step towards improving the quality of life for those with eye-related conditions in Lalibela and surrounding districts.

The third campaign was different in terms of catchment area; more than 10 districts and a high number of people got the treatment. With the four-consecutive-day campaign, 958 people were registered to receive sight-saving service with the PBF Memorial Clinic. The following table shows the program achievement.

We cured many people and enabled them to get their lives back. PBF Memorial Clinic has recognized the problem. Tracking the blindness is one of the PBF Memorial Clinic’s intensive prevention and control program goals.

The service satisfaction feedback from their eyesight has returned after the 3^rd round of the campaign and was very encouraging.

 Those who received the service expressed their gratitude to PBF.

PBF Memorial Clinic team