Vision restored! 300 Berbicians benefit from free eye surgeries
─ surgeries were made possible through US Army’s New Horizons team
─ surgeries began at the National Ophthalmology Hospital in Port Mourant, Corentyne from May 6
DPI, Guyana, Monday, May 13, 2019
Diagnosed with cataract in her left eye, it has not been easy for ‘Aunty Baby’ to independently move around. It all started with an accident which occurred four years ago. ‘Baby’, the only name given, from No. 55 Village, Corentyne spoke briefly with the Department of Public Information (DPI) expressing her sincere gratitude and jubilation for the improved quality in her vision following the free eye surgery. “Well first, I had an accident, I used to work before but after the accident, I stopped working. I am diabetic, and all sort of sickness start raise and then my eyes start to fail,” she recalled.
Her family was unable to fund her travel to another country for surgery following her diagnosis, thus a solution was sought locally. “I went to one doctor and the doctor said I have to get $70,000 and that I have cataract and let me go to Port Mourant Hospital. I thank God and bless all who work,” overjoyed ‘Aunty Baby’ said.
She is just one of almost 300 persons whose vision was restored after a surgical intervention at the National Ophthalmology Hospital in Port Mourant, Corentyne.
Another resident and beneficiary is Aunty Joyce, an astute reader. Though shy, she reflected on how cataract would have affected her significantly.
“Since last year, I noticed I woke up a morning and I was seeing cloudy and then during the day I kept rubbing it and washing it and I was seeing more blur and I do a lot of reading, my devotional reading and I couldn’t even see properly sometimes it clears up nicely and another time it gone blur again,” Joyce explained.
While expressing her appreciation, she noted that the simple key to recovery is to do what the doctor says. “I just got out of the surgery, its paining right now so I know by God’s grace I will be fully recovered all I have to do is obey the rules.”
Pulmattie Balak and Agnes Blair were two other beneficiaries who had successful procedures done. “I gon tell you the truth, I ain’t feel nothing… when I was finished, I told the doctor congratulations,” Balak said.
Agnes added that “it was both eyes had cataract and I went and do the one and I was seeing very good with it so I didn’t really bother to do the other but I had to do it, and I realised I was getting older and I said I should do it.”
All happy patients, each of them had their own unique stories to share. Some called the initiative of free surgeries “an act of love and kindness” and recognised the hospitality provided to them by the medical team.
The free eye surgeries were made possible through the United States Army’s New Horizons team. The team started operations on May 6. The abled doctors and other members of the teams were happy to be part of such an intervention, restoring something as valuable as sight to many in need.
Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, recently visited the facility to offer well wishes to patients as they prepared to enter the surgical theatre or complete the surgery.
Delicia Haynes.
Images: Giovanni Gajie.