MEDEWELL CHARITABLE HEALTH CENTRE, MPAKANI, KIBAHA, PWANI, TANZANIA FREE CATARACT SURGICAL CAMP SPONSORS : BETA CHARITABLE TRUST, UK; WORLD SIGHT INC, USA; DOCTORS WORLDWIDE, UK; LADIES DARS, ARUSHA Dates: January 10-11, 2015 Location: Medewell Charitable Health Centre, Kibaha Camp Consultant: Dr Dilawar Padhani Camp Organisers: Dr Mudassir Alloo, Dr Shiraz Datoo, Amina Ramadhani & Asinati Mbarak Ophthalmologist: Dr Edmond & Dr Juliete Ophthalmic Nurses: Sr Octavina & Sr Joyce Optometrists: Dr Mudassir Alloo and Dr Zahra Remtula Volunteers: Mubashir Sheriff, Rashid, Dayyanah Karim, Ali Bhaloo, Aliya Murji, Haider Riazi. Nurse in charge Mathias Number of patients: 36 Number of Surgeries: 19 Surgeries: 17 cataracts and 2 pterygiums All patients were asked to report to the Hospital a night before. This helps them in knowing the service providers and become familiar with the surroundings. Their fears and concerns are addressed and are prepared for the surgery. Many come with a perception that their eye balls will be removed!!! In total 36 patients came to avail this unique opportunity of having a free treatment for their eyes. Most of them being old and frail, escorted by a family member. Of the total 36 who came for the camp, 17 qualified for cataract surgery. Out of these 17, 15 had unilateral cataracts and 2 were diagnosed with bilateral dense cataracts meaning they were totally blind, and 2 had pterygium. Others had various ocular pathologies for which they were counseled and/or given medications, or provided with corrective glasses. Dr Edmond and Dr Juliete, our camp ophthalmologists, and their team performed 14 surgeries on the first day of the camp and 5 the next day. Post op evaluation for all were conducted the following day. All patients were provided with details on the after-care and a pictorial info sheet explaining the Do’s and Dont’s. Free eye drops, sun glasses, protective eye shields and pain killers were also provided. Thankfully, this time there were no frequent power interruptions and the surgeries were conducted very peacefully, though had a standby generator which was used only one. The following week, on January 18, all of them showed up for their one week follow up checking. There was great excitement and happiness, as each one relating to the other how the restored eye sight has changed their life from dependency to independence. The old ladies were thankful as they said they were now able to read the Quran or Bible again. They could not contain their joy of getting a new life. Gratitude and thankfulness was echoed all around. The final monthly follow-up check up will take place on 15 th February 2015. The fourth Free camp is planned for May Inshallah. Our thanks to Medewell staff, WIPAHS’s maintenance, transport, house-keeping and catering departments, JAMSA and all other volunteers. Our special thanks to our sponsors, Beta Charitable Trust of UK, World Sight Inc of USA , Doctors Worldwide of UK and Ladies Dars of Arusha Jamaat. The surgical team requires special mention for their tireless efforts and professional contribution throughout the two day camp.