A total of 5,249 people in the Volta Region have benefited from free health screening and surgical operations by Lifetime Wells Vision (LWV).
Lifetime Wells Vision, an NGO with operations in Ghana and Tanzania has partnered with Friends Eye Centre and some health personnels to carry out the exercise which is in its second phase.
The surgical team, headed by Dr. Wanye Tle of the Friends Eye Centre and assisted by Dr. Kenneth Adjah, also given out 12,649 medications and 4,644 medicated lenses.
So far, the exercise has benefitted many individuals in the Volta Region in 3 districts – South, North, and Central Tongu and 4 municipalities – Akatsi South, Ketu North and South, and Keta.
The organization founded by Ken Wood, employs the USee, an affordable easy-to-use diagnostic tool and lens kit developed by Mr. Kevin White and partnering with Friends Eye Care.
A beneficiary of the eye outreach, Elikplim shares her experience.
“I was not born blind. I was blind in both eyes for 4 years because I was diabetic.
“Even in my blind state, I tried to help myself. One situation that left me broken was when I prepared oats and tried to reach out for salt to taste, only to pour powdered soap into the food. It was such a difficult moment.”
She also added, “I went to a hospital in Ho and the doctor told me I needed a single digit ‘one’ before I could be helped.
“I never understood what that meant but I paid for all sorts of medication but didn’t get any solution.
“My father also asked me to buy a fowl to sacrifice to the gods so as to avert the situation, but I never did that because somehow, I believed I was going to see again.
“My family concluded I was cursed and blamed my grandmother for my predicament. My life changed when a taxi driver told me about the eye care outreach.”
Promise, a 9-year-old boy had this to say. “I was born with a growth on my left eye. My father brought me to have the surgery. Both eyes are fine and I can have a normal life now.”
According to a member of the medical team, Dr. Wanye Tle, the common cases operated are blinding cataracts and blinding pterygium, with cataracts forming about 96% of all cases.
Further, in Ghana, blindness due to cataracts is approximately 54.8% which is higher in rural areas where there is no or very little intervention.
In the Volta Region particularly, between 10% to 12% of individuals screened have cataracts.
Dr. Tle said “there must be awareness on blinding diseases” while adding that cataract blindness is curable.
“The general public must also be encouraged to get regular eye screening from approved eye care centres with qualified personnel.
“More eye care professionals need to be trained and undertake surgical outreaches to curb preventable blinding diseases.”
He mentioned that “cataracts and other eye surgeries should be covered by the NHIS.
“NGOs and other benevolent organizations should support eye care outreach, especially in remote areas to reduce blindness and improve productivity and quality of life.”
Christina Pomary, who is the country manager of LWV said: “I am committed to this cause because I am convinced that quality eye care has rippling effects on education, economic, social, and the general wellbeing of individuals.”
She further expressed her gratitude to the founder and all donors of the NGO for their support.
The activity started on 7th August 2023 and will end on 26th September 2023.
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