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Tanzania lags far behind when it comes to eye care. There are very few ophthalmologists and governmental health is focused largely on Mother and Child Health, fighting malaria, and the treatment of HIV.

The Eye Care Foundation first started operations in Tanzania in 2006, by supporting the eye department of the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) Hospital in the Moshi Kilimanjaro region. The support included training young ophthalmologists and staff members in various sub-specialties. A number of Dutch ophthalmologists provided mentorship to the medical staff of KCMC.

Currently, ECF sponsors training for ophthalmology students from the Morogoro region at the KCMC and two medical centers in Mvumi and Muhimbili.

For a couple of years, ECF has been implementing a NURU project in the region of Morogoro covering the district councils of Malinyi, Ulanga, Kilombero/Mlimba, and Ifakara town. The project involves the construction of eye units, provision of equipment and instruments, organization of mobile eye camps, staff capacity building, and other raising awareness activities. In frames of the NURU project, ECF has also been collaborating with the St. Francis Referral Hospital (SFRH) and the Morogoro Region Referral Hospital (MRRH) to establish referral centers at their eye health departments.

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