By Marie A. Gakuba | Program Coordinator
In 2010, a total of 904 sight-restoring surgeries were performed in Outreach Eye Camps in Ghana. Below is a quick update of the latest outreach camp in Goaso:
Goaso is the district capital of Asunafo district located on the western corridor of Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. Goaso is about 124 miles north west of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi. The district has no ophthalmologist and the only eye care workers are an optician and an optometrist who are based in the District Hospital. With a population of 170,000 it is estimated that 1,000 to 1,200 people may be blind from causes such as cataract, glaucoma and corneal opacities.
Dr. Peter Osei-Bonsu of KATH led an outreach camp at the Goaso District Hospital. Prior to the outreach, a team from the hospital screened 934 people. Over a period of two days, Dr. Osei-Bonsu performed 69 cataract surgeries.
One of the patients who received surgery in Goaso was Seidu Billiak a 73-year-old man from Mim in the Brong Ahafo region. He had worked as a watchman in a private home until two years ago when he was let go. He is still strong enough to work but he experienced difficulties due to his vision loss. After undergoing sight-restoring surgery, he was hopeful to return to work soon.
On behalf of our partners from KATH and all those who have benefited from your generous support, I would like thank you for your contribution and I hope you continue to support us in the future.
Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the year 2011.
By Marie A. Gakuba | Program Coordinator
By Sarah Riczo | In-the-Field Traveler
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