Around 200 individuals are eagerly anticipating free eye surgeries at the Bentiu Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Unity State, South Sudan, scheduled for next week.
The initiative was initiated by the Christmas Blind Mission (CBM) organization, which commenced an awareness campaign on August 4th, set to conclude on August 6th.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, Chomani Chiok Dayiem, a 54-year-old resident of the camp suffering from severe eye conditions, shared his hopes for the upcoming surgery, stating, “My expectation for this coming Sunday is that my eyes will undergo surgery, with faith in God’s will guiding the process.”
Chomani further revealed, “Over the past three years, my vision has deteriorated to the extent that I cannot even see objects six meters away due to my eye condition.”
Another camp resident, Mary Boui Lual, 23 years old, expressed her gratitude for the ongoing registration process led by the doctors, saying, “We were provided with registration cards today by the doctors, and we are optimistic that our eye surgeries will be conducted next Sunday morning, as confirmed by the medical team.”
Mary also appealed to the Christmas Blind Mission Organization, saying, “We implore the Christian Blind Mission Organization to continue offering free eye surgeries to individuals like us who suffer from eye-related conditions.”
Mary continued, “We are genuinely pleased with the ongoing program, which is set to conclude on August 6th.”
Mary’s fellow camp resident further highlighted the life-altering potential of the surgeries, sharing, “For the past five years, I have been unable to see anything, rendering me incapable of even preparing meals for my children. Successful eye surgery would grant me the ability to support myself and contribute to society.”
Dr. Albino Nyibong, an eye surgeon from the Christmas Blind Mission (CBM), emphasized the preliminary steps taken, stating, “We initiated an awareness campaign, urging those with eye conditions to visit the Sector 5 health facility in the Bentiu IDP camp.”
Dr. Nyibong clarified, “We are currently assessing patients to ensure that their eye conditions meet the criteria for surgery.”
“The program aims to provide treatment for a total of 200 patients from the Bentiu IDP camp and its surrounding areas, addressing issues like cataracts and trachoma,” he stated, expressing confidence in the program’s success by its conclusion on August 6th.
This initiative is slated to span seven days exclusively within the Bentiu IDP camp, with plans to extend similar programs to other affected areas. Dr. Nyibong elaborated, “We have plans to conduct similar programs in Leer County, as well as in Mayom, Mayendit, Koch, Rubkona, Guit, and Panyijiar Counties.”
This isn’t the first free eye camp to be held in Unity State. A similar program took place three months prior, benefitting over 300 individuals suffering from eye-related conditions who sought refuge in Unity State.
Chap Wan Guit, the Chairperson of the high committee in the Bentiu IDP camp, praised the initiative as a source of relief and appealed for its continuation. He asserted, “The week-long surgical operation will undoubtedly bring immense joy to the residents of the Bentiu IDP camp.” Chap expressed gratitude to the doctors and hoped for the sustained organization of such camps, given the substantial number of individuals grappling with eye-related challenges within the camp.