Despite living with muscular dystrophy (MD), a degenerative disease of the muscles that decreases strength and mobility, Dr. Umut Duygu Uzunel remains committed to her volunteer work. Although she primarily uses a wheelchair now because of her MD, she has made the selfless decision to dedicate these years of mobility to helping others around the world. To date, Dr. Uzunel, a distinguished eye doctor and naturopath, has performed 10,000+ cataract surgeries, with 4,000 being completely free of charge during medical volunteer trips.
We are excited to announce that Dr. Uzunel’s next medical volunteer trip will be to Burkina Faso. There, she aims to complete 200 free cataract surgeries at the grand opening of Embrace Relief’s new mobile health clinic.
This project is in collaboration with the Burkina Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ensuring sustainability and integration into the existing healthcare framework, paving the way for continued improvement in eye health services in Burkina Faso.
The appointment of Dr. Uzunel marks an important milestone for Embrace Relief’s new mobile health clinic, which will aim to bring essential eye health services directly to the people of Burkina Faso. This clinic will address the significant barriers – such as distance, affordability, and limited healthcare infrastructure – that have prevented millions of Burkinabe people from access to care. Embrace Relief’s mobile clinic will provide a variety of free-at-point-of-service care, including eye surgeries, particularly cataract surgeries; free comprehensive preventative health screenings; basic dental procedures; and the distribution of medications such as general antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and eye drops, to those who need them.
About Dr. Umut Duygu Uzunel
Dr. Uzunel is a licensed and board-certified naturopathic doctor based in Ontario, Canada. A graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, she is registered with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO) and is a member of both the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND) and the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND). Originally from Turkey, Dr. Uzunel brings a wealth of expertise and experience as a physician and eye surgeon to Embrace Relief’s mobile health clinic in Burkina Faso.
In addition to her expertise in eye diseases, Dr. Uzunel focuses on mental health, pain management, chronic diseases, and digestive and neurological disorders. She has a personal understanding of supporting disabled individuals, as she has muscular dystrophy. Dr. Uzunel is also a professional coach, adept at helping clients find motivation and achieve life goals. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in psychology at Yorkville University, enhancing her ability to understand and support her clients’ mental health.
Dr. Uzunel has dedicated her life and career to helping others. She has been on numerous humanitarian medical trips to countries like Kenya and Uganda, where she has completed more than 4,000 eye surgeries. This year, she will embark on a humanitarian medical trip to Burkina Faso, where she will perform the very first cataract surgeries at the opening of Embrace Relief’s new Mobile Health Clinic.
The Situation in Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso ranks 184 out of 191 on the Human Development Index and faces significant healthcare access and medical infrastructure challenges. Access to eye health services in Burkina Faso is severely limited, with substantial barriers preventing many individuals from receiving necessary care. The country has a dire shortage of ophthalmologists, with only about one ophthalmologist for every million people, far below the recommended ratio. Additionally, there are only a few specialized eye clinics, primarily concentrated in urban areas like Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso, leaving rural populations without adequate access to eye care.
Several factors contribute to this lack of access, including economic constraints, which are a major issue as many people cannot afford the cost of eye surgeries or even basic consultations. Additionally, the overall healthcare infrastructure is underdeveloped, with insufficient funding, a lack of trained healthcare professionals, and inadequate medical supplies and equipment, which are exacerbating this situation. Cultural factors and lack of eye health education also play a role, as many people do not seek care until their condition becomes severe.
According to a study by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), the prevalence of cataracts, a leading cause of blindness, is exceptionally high in Burkina Faso. Approximately 2.2% of the population (nearly 500,000 people) is affected by cataracts, but only a fraction of these individuals receive the surgery needed to restore their vision. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that only about 20% of people in need of eye care services actually receive them, highlighting the vast unmet need in the country. This lack of access results in preventable blindness and vision impairment, significantly impacting the quality of life and economic productivity of those affected.
Impact of the New Mobile Health Clinic
The introduction of Embrace Relief’s mobile health clinic aims to bridge this gap in healthcare services. This mobile clinic will bring essential eye health services directly to people, overcoming the significant barriers of distance, cost, and limited healthcare infrastructure that have long hindered access to eye care. The mobile clinic will provide free eye surgeries, particularly cataract surgeries, to those who would otherwise have no access to such treatments. Moreover, the clinic will provide free comprehensive health screenings and basic dental procedures and distribute medications, such as general antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and eye drops, as needed.
This initiative will improve the quality of life for individuals by restoring their sight and have broader socio-economic benefits for the community. Restored vision enables individuals to return to work, support their families, and actively participate in their communities, thereby boosting economic productivity and reducing poverty levels. The presence of the mobile health clinic will also raise awareness about the importance of eye health and encourage more people to seek medical care.
The mobile health clinic represents a beacon of hope for many in Burkina Faso, offering not only immediate medical relief but also long-term improvements in health and quality of life. By addressing a critical health issue like cataracts, the clinic will help restore vision and independence to many individuals, empowering them to lead more productive and fulfilling lives.
Dr. Uzunel’s participation in this groundbreaking initiative highlights the global effort to improve healthcare access in underserved regions. Embrace Relief, in partnership with local authorities, is committed to making a lasting positive impact on the lives of many in Burkina Faso. Stay tuned for more updates on this inspiring project as Dr. Uzunel and the Embrace Relief team work to bring vision and hope to those in need.
