Outreach Eye Camps in Ghana

HCP international fellow Dr. Matt Bujak has just returned from a six-week visit at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ghana.  While in Ghana, he participated in an outreach clinic held at a rural district hospital in New Edubiase.  During this outreach event, Dr. Bujak and Dr. Seth Lartey from KATH performed over 20 cataract surgeries.  

HCP’s Project Manager Pamela Clapp was also in Ghana and she had the opportunity to witness the outreach clinic for the first time. Below is what she had to say about her experience:

"I remember being very impressed with how appreciative the patients were for the clinical staff from KATH who came from Kumasi to bring cataract surgery to this remote village. I observed KATH's Dr. Seth Lartey and a third-year female medical student work side-by-side operating on patients who otherwise wouldn't receive this type of care because they don't have the means to get to the larger hospital. Dr. Matt Bujak, our HCP International fellow, was also present at the event. I was able to sit in his consultation room and observe numerous patient screenings which was valuable for me as a non-clinical person. It was a great experience because I was able to see what HCP does best - bring high-quality ophthalmic care to remote locations, while building local capacity through training."  Pamela Clapp, HCP Project Manager. 

With the support of the Himalayan Cataract Project, KATH plans to step up its outreach efforts in 2011 with at least 12 scheduled outreach clinics and the number of surgeries expected to reach 900.

On behalf of the Himalayan Cataract Project and our partners in Ghana, thank you for continuing to give the gift of sight.