On average, the state KK1M mobile team are able to conduct about 70 eye checks daily.
The mobile team will be visiting several district hospitals across the state to perform eye check-ups and cataract surgeries on members of the public.
KUCHING: The state 1Malaysia Cataract Clinic (KK1M) mobile team successfully conducted surgery on 124 patients during their two-week stint at Serian Hospital.
According to the programme’s spokesperson, 98 of the patients underwent intraocular lens implantation while the rest went through Pterygium surgery. These surgeries were performed in the past two weekends (June 12-13 and June 19-20).
“Members of the KK1M mobile team were in Serian till Sunday. Throughout their time there, they offered eye check-ups on weekdays and performed the surgeries on the weekends.
“This was the fifth time that the programme had been held in Serian, since the launch of the state KK1M mobile team two years ago,” the spokesperson said.
The team will head to Sri Aman Hospital for the next programme running from June 29 to July 9. Those deemed in need of surgery will be scheduled for appointments either on July 3-5 or July 10-12.
After Sri Aman, they will be at Betong Hospital on July 27-Aug 6, followed by Saratok Hospital (Aug 17-27), Simunjan Hospital (Sept 7-17), Sarawak General Hospital Heart Centre (Sept 28-Oct 8), Lundu Hospital (Oct 19-29) and Bau Hospital (Nov 16-26), before returning to Serian Hospital for the programme on Dec 7-17.
The KK1M, an initiative by the Health Ministry, provides ophthalmology services to ensure that all members of society could benefit. The purpose is to provide eye screenings, aimed at preventing and controlling blindness from diseases such as cataract, dim vision, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
Untreated cataract can cause blindness, although it can be treated easily with surgery. The screening, pre-operative diagnosis and treatment are all performed under the supervision of eye specialists.
The mobile clinic was launched in the state on Sept 12, 2013.