By Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu, GNA
Bolgatanga, July 3, GNA – A week-long free cataract surgery outreach at the Upper East Regional Hospital has restored the sight of 517 people living with cataract-induced blindness in the Upper East Region, surpassing the initial target of 500 beneficiaries.
The exercise was funded by the Cure Blindness Project, a non-governmental organization, in partnership with the Ghana Health Service through the National Eye Care Secretariat.
The initiative attracted hundreds of people from across the region and beyond, most of them elderly, who took advantage of the free surgical services.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) after the exercise, Dr Seth Wanye, an ophthalmologist based in Tamale, described the outreach as highly successful and commended the team of eye care professionals for their dedication and professionalism despite the overwhelming turnout.
He noted that the Eye Unit of the Upper East Regional Hospital was well equipped with skilled professionals capable of managing various eye conditions and advised the public against relying on local remedies or unprescribed over-the-counter eye medications.
Dr Wanye stressed the importance of seeking prompt medical attention for any eye condition to prevent complications and avoid treatment by unqualified practitioners.
Mr Moro Sandah Issahaku, the Regional Eye Care Coordinator, said the outreach formed part of efforts to reduce avoidable blindness in the region, noting that cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness worldwide.
“The number one cause of blindness in the world is cataract,” Mr Issahaku said.
He disclosed that the team successfully operated on 517 patients, exceeding the target of 500 surgeries, and explained that cataracts were primarily associated with the natural ageing process, with people aged 65 years and above being at greater risk.
According to him, other risk factors included poor nutrition, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, eye injuries, hypertension and diabetes.
Mr Issahaku, who also serves as the Regional Vice Chairman of the Ghana Ophthalmic Nurses Society, encouraged the public to adopt healthy lifestyles by eating more fruits and vegetables to promote good eye health.
“Intake of vegetables and fruits is very good for eye health. Foods such as mangoes contain vitamins that help protect the eyes, so people should not underestimate their importance,” he advised.
He further cautioned against prolonged exposure to direct sunlight without adequate eye protection, explaining that excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays increased the risk of developing cataracts later in life.
He also urged people living with chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes to manage their health properly, as both conditions could contribute to cataract formation.
The weeklong surgery restored vision and improved the quality of life of hundreds of beneficiaries while contributing to national efforts to reduce avoidable blindness.
Beneficiaries who spoke to the GNA expressed profound appreciation to the medical team for the life-changing intervention.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Ayibayeya Amoah, an amputee who underwent surgery on his left eye, said he was delighted with the outcome.
“I could not see with my left eye, but now I can see clearly,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Madam Nbabila Adaberi, from Tindonmoligo, a suburb of the Bolgatanga Municipality, could not hide her excitement after the surgery.
“I can see you clearly and even the white shirt you are wearing. It was not so before the operation,” she said.
She prayed for God’s blessings, protection and good health for the medical team and appealed for the exercise to be organized regularly to enable more people suffering from cataracts to benefit from the initiative.
“I pray for God’s blessings, protection and good health for the team of doctors for helping us. I also appeal to them to organize this exercise regularly so that those who could not benefit this time, will have the opportunity to do so in future,” Madam Adaberi said.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali /Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu
Email: [email protected]