The National Cataract Outreach Programme an eye care secretariat of the Ghana Health Service GHS, has organized a five days cataract screening and surgery exercise in Bolgatanga, capital of the Upper East Region.
The Programme is in collaboration with the Amaleria Cataract Programme a Non-Profit Organization based in the United States of America that helps support third world countries in cataract surgery free of charge and have been operating in Ghana for five years now.
In an interview with GBC online, the Upper East Regional Ophthalmologist Dr. Lordson Dagba stated that they hope to do one hundred cataract surgeries within the five days period. He explained how they intend to cover the set target.
The exercise has already covered Bongo and currently operating at the Bolgatanga Regional hospital and will probably extend to Sandemah and Zebilla hospitals on Friday, Saturday and perhaps on Monday in case the hundred patience target is not met.
Dr. Dagba indicated that 19 cases were operated and reviewed successfully at the Bongo hospital adding that, they are expected to operate 20 to 30 cases a day at the Bolgatanga Regional hospital if the patients are available.
Dr. Dagba however explained that, the dryness of the weather condition in the Upper East Region is causing a lot of eye-related problems as people keep rubbing their eyes every time, as a result of itching.
He cautioned the general public to take care of their eyes and report to the hospital for treatment if they detect any eye related conditions.
Story filed by: Emmanuel Akayeti
