Free Cataract Surgery Begins in Lagos

Dipo Olowookere

On Monday, the free surgical intervention for indigent patients with cataract eye defect commenced in Lagos.

The surgery is a partnership between the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and a South Korean health provider called ‘Vision Care’.

Chief Medical Director of LAUSTH, Prof Wale Oke, speaking at a media briefing, described the collaboration as very beneficial to patients who are suffering from cataract and glaucoma in their early stages.

He disclosed that the South Korean group has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the hospital management to undertake free treatment of cataract and make the intervention more regular.

“This partnership is no doubt a beneficial one. LASUTH has made it an annual mission to reach out to those who are really suffering from cataract glaucoma in their early stages before they become complicated and more difficult to handle” Mr Oke stated.

He commended the magnanimity of the group from South Korea for their interest in Lagos State and particularly LASUTH, saying that their undying commitment to restore vision to people who cannot afford the cost of the surgery will go a long way in bringing succour to the beneficiaries.

He added that the Hospital has over the years been exploring both local and international windows in its quest to make health care delivery more accessible to the people of the State and also upscale the health status of Lagosians who have financial constraints through creative innovations and meaningful collaborations with relevant stakeholders.

The delegates from the South Korea led by the country’s Consul-General, Mr Lee Young Hwan and Team Manager of Vision Care, Mr Song Daeyong expressed delight in the working relationship with the medical personnel of LASUTH, noting that the ambience provided by the hospital made the team to choose it as the preferred place for the medical intervention.

While informing that Vision Care is visiting the hospital the third time, Mr Daeyoung maintained that the team would also provide training to medical personnel of LASUTH before their departure.

“We will also seek better ways of providing services through a transfer of skills to LASUTH doctors on the treatment and surgery of cataract,” he stated.

He averred that apart from the surgical operations, drugs would also be provided for the patients depending on their needs while LASUTH would follow-up on the patients as well as monitor the improvement in their health status afterwards.

Head of the Department of LASUTH Eye Clinic, Dr Modupe Idris said that the hospital has put in place necessary technical and personnel support to make the surgery a hitch-free experience to all the beneficiaries.

She said that the Vision Care team is expected to perform the free surgical operation on 100 cataract patients for a start, adding that the number could be exceeded based on needs and capacity of the group.

“As the leader of the vision care said, it is our hope that this partnership would help initiate a technical transfer of knowledge to the hospital and provide support to people living with cataract in Nigeria such that when the expatriates from Korea return to their country, our doctors will continue with the process,” Dr Idris reiterated.