Rumbek hospital free eye surgery targets 300 patients

A team of eye doctors is in Rumbek State Hospital to attend to 300 patients with cataracts.

The free eye surgery began on Thursday.

A patient, Roda Alual Yak, told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that they were happy although not everyone in need had been attended to.

“We are urging the eye doctors to do the operations for our brothers and sisters who did not get a chance last year,” she said.

Peter Manyang Ayak said he missed out last year but hoped he would be lucky this time round.

A specialist from the Buluk Eye Center in Juba, Dr Emmanuel Orien, said he is the leader of the team conducting the operations.

“We have come here several teams. We are targeting around 300 operations,” he said.

“In surgery, you may do more or less. You may get surprised that we end up doing 310 – 320 operations,” he said.

The doctor describe cataract as a condition that developed especially in old age.

“We are thankful to the government of Lakes State, especially the Ministry of Health and the Rumbek State Hospital who have helped us a lot. We are targeting around 300 patients, and that means that if we do 60 patients per day, it will take about 5 days,” he said.

He urged the people in Lakes State, especially in Rumbek, to put more emphasis on the prevention.

“Our eyes are a very important part of our body. They help us to succeed. Let us not wait for such a campaign to check our eyes. If you feel anything like you are not seeing well or are in pain, you go for an early check,” he said.