A Meeting That Gave Rise to a Transformative Project
African Sight Center (ASC) was born from the meeting of a strong medical vocation and a long-term philanthropic commitment.
On one side, Dr Dalil Bonabe, a Cameroonian ophthalmologist and eye surgeon, driven by a deep conviction: to practice medicine in his own country and provide practical solutions for communities with the least access to healthcare.
On the other, Jacques Bodet, founder of Fondation Horizons, under the aegis of Fondation de France, together with the teams of Association Actions Solidaires, who have been involved in education and development projects in Cameroon for more than 30 years.
Since the 1990s, this long-standing involvement has provided an in-depth understanding of local realities and highlighted healthcare as a major driver of social development. The meeting with Dalil Bonabe in 2002 marked the beginning of a long-term project built on training, trust and the sharing of knowledge.
Dr Dalil Bonabe’s Journey
Dr Dalil Bonabe’s journey embodies the very foundations of the project.
Supported by Fondation Horizons for more than thirteen years, he graduated as a medical doctor in 2010 before specializing in ophthalmology at IOTA in Bamako, graduating with highest honors in 2014.
He subsequently took part in a number of training programs, conferences and medical meetings in Europe and India. Over the years, he developed a pragmatic and effective approach to ophthalmic surgery, adapted to local realities and enabling large numbers of patients to be treated while maintaining high standards of care.
Today, he practices in several hospitals in Cameroon and Nigeria, treating patients whose eye conditions are often at an advanced stage. He also teaches microsurgery, helping to train numerous healthcare practitioners.
To date, Dr Dalil Bonabe has performed more than 20,000 surgical procedures, on patients ranging in age from 4 to 104.
Establishing the Eye Care Center
Today, African Sight Center is entering a decisive new phase: turning this long-term commitment into a fully operational ophthalmology center serving the Far North Region of Cameroon.
The aim is to establish a practical and sustainable medical facility capable of providing high-quality care, training professionals locally and strengthening the region’s healthcare capacity over the long term.
ASC is the result of a collective commitment involving its team, the foundations and associations that support it, healthcare professionals, clinics and partner universities.
The project continues to grow and develop, driven by a shared ambition: to achieve lasting improvements in eye health and quality of life for local communities.
A Local Response to a Major Health Challenge
In the Far North Region of Cameroon, blindness and visual impairment affect a significant proportion of the population, often because of late diagnosis or limited access to healthcare.
Yet many of the leading causes — including cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy — can be treated or managed effectively when detected in time.
ASC was created to address this reality by:
- bringing eye care closer to local communities
- reducing the need for costly travel to major cities or abroad
- providing comprehensive care locally
- making care available to people from all social and economic backgrounds
It is a locally driven response, designed for the region by people with direct experience of its needs.
In an area where healthcare infrastructure is limited and needs are considerable, ASC provides a practical, local and sustainable solution.
Governance Serving the Public Interest
African Sight Center operates on a non-profit basis, with responsible and committed governance dedicated to a public health mission.
The center is an organization serving the public interest, whose primary objective is to achieve lasting improvements in access to eye care and the visual health of local communities.
All resources generated by the center’s activities are reinvested in this mission: supporting its operations, maintaining high-quality medical equipment, providing continuous training for medical teams and developing local expertise.
These resources also support a cross-subsidy model: revenue generated by the center helps finance a financial assistance program for patients with the lowest incomes. This enables more people to access high-quality eye care, regardless of their financial circumstances.
This model supports both the long-term sustainability of the center and its fundamental commitment: to provide high-quality, accessible and equitable healthcare for everyone.
A Comprehensive Mission: Care, Training and Capacity Building
African Sight Center has developed a comprehensive and modern approach to eye health.
The center provides:
- comprehensive consultations and diagnosis
- high-precision examinations
- specialized treatments
- comprehensive optical services
- prevention and awareness programs
ASC relies on a multidisciplinary team of ophthalmologists, optometrists, technicians and other healthcare professionals working with advanced medical equipment.
The center has access to advanced diagnostic and monitoring technologies for eye diseases, including retinal imaging, visual field testing and tonometry, enabling accurate and effective patient care.
This combination of medical expertise and technology enables ASC to provide a high standard of care.
Our mission is to give everyone access to effective eye care and help improve quality of life through better vision.
A Sustainable, Patient-Centered Model
African Sight Center places patients at the heart of its organization.
Every care pathway is tailored to the individual, with particular attention paid to diagnostic quality, patient support and follow-up.
The center is also developing a balanced economic model combining high medical standards with financial responsibility, ensuring the long-term sustainability of its services while keeping care accessible.
Cross-subsidy mechanisms and flexible payment options help extend access to care to the most vulnerable populations without compromising on quality.
A Human Journey
Above all, ASC is a human story.
The story of a doctor and a team who chose to return home to care for their communities.
The story of partners who chose to invest in people before investing in infrastructure.
The story of a project that restores sight — and with it, independence, dignity and hope for the future.
Our Ambition: To Become a Leading Eye Care Center
Beyond patient care, ASC is strongly committed to continuing education, student training and research, helping advance ophthalmology in Cameroon and across Africa.
In the long term, African Sight Center aims to become a leading regional center for ophthalmology:
- for the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases
- for the training of future specialists
- for research and innovation
- for contributing to the development of a regional healthcare network
The center’s ambition extends beyond Cameroon, particularly toward neighboring Chad and Nigeria.
A human journey…