518 patients suffering from cataracts have a reason to smile after two organizations sponsored their treatment at Kuajok Hospital in Warrap State.
The Concern South Sudan (TCSS) and Tuach Riek Gai Foundation (TRGF) supported the health facility in carrying out operations for 318 people suffering from the disease. The campaign concluded on Monday.
A cataract is a condition in which the lens of an eye becomes cloudy and affects vision. Most commonly, cataracts occur in older people and develop gradually.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj at Kuajok Hospital on Monday, several patients who underwent successful surgery expressed their gratitude.
Anyang Buor, a woman who had been suffering from the disease for more than 10 years, said:” I am from a village in Gogrial West County. I gave birth to two children, my husband died, and then I lost my sight. Now I can see my children, so I appreciate this support for me to regain my vision.”
Mabior Wek Kuanyin, who is a police officer, is another beneficiary of the free eye surgery campaign sponsored by First Lady Ayen Mayardit and former national health minister Dr. Riek Gai.
“I was the first person to enter the operations room, and after the operations, my eye opened. Now I see well, and the other eye will be operated on next time,” he said.
For her part, Dr. Aja Paul Kuol, the operations team leader, said there was a need to help more patients, but due to limited time, the campaign was concluded.
The medical doctor urges both national and state governments to fund national Non-Governmental Organizations to help people in critical health conditions.
“The cases are very many. Some patients have both eyes affected, some of them are ageing, and there are cataracts in children too, and we can’t help them due to a lack of equipment,” she added.
Meanwhile, John Akol, a director general at the Warrap state ministry of health, said: “We appreciate Mama Ayen and Riek Gai for thinking about helping the people of Warrap state because I think something has been achieved.”
“According to statistics I got, more than 300 are female, and about 200 are male, which means women are more vulnerable in the community. So I am appealing to Mama Ayen and Riek Gai to do more,” Akol concluded.