Club members with the patients prior to them undergoing the cataract surgery.
KAPIT: The local Lions Club has successfully initiated its eye-care programme at Kapit Hospital, which saw 50 patients undergoing cataract and pterygium (benign growth on the conjunctiva) removal surgeries.
The two-day ‘Share The Vision, Eyesight First’, which concluded yesterday, saw a team of eye specialists from across the state coming here to perform free eye checks to locals, many of whom came from the rural pockets of this division.
According to organising chairmanDr Sia Tih Kong, who is also president of the local chapter Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC), the project could not have been realised without the strong support from many parties.
“We would like to thank Kapit Hospital, Bletih Polyclinic and Kapit Health Department, staff members of the 1Malaysia Clinic Cataract Surgery Bus from Kuching, as well as eye specialists Dr Thomas Law of Sibu Hospital, Dr Lo Sheau Kang of Rajang Medical Centreand Dr Lim Chem Pin of Bintulu Medical Centre – who performed the surgeries.
“Our gratitude also goes to Land Development Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing and Deputy Rural and Regional DevelopmentMinister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi,” he said.
Dr Sia said the project, which entered its fourth year, cost around RM50,000 encompassing expenses for equipment, return transportation of the mobile clinicfrom and back to Kuching via Sibu, as well as accommodation for the specialists and other medical personnel.
“The largest expenditure is on buying lens,” he said.
On breakdown of patients, Dr Sia said 35 people suffered from severe cataracts – some of whom were close to being legally blind – while 15 had pterygium.
“These patients were screened earlier at Bletih Polyclinic and their lenses were sponsored by the club.
“This annual programme is part of Kapit Lions Club’s corporate social responsibility that is aimed at assistingthe needy and underprivileged
who are suffering from eye diseases to get appropriate treatments for free. We’re thankful to the minister
(Masing) and deputy minister (Nanta) for their financial assistance, as this project needs lots of funding due to the cost of the equipment as well as logistics,” he added.
As a sideline to the campaign, Sibu Specialist Medical Centre also arranged a health talk on Thursday at Meligai Hotel, featuring Dr Law who delivered his presentation on ‘Who Is Your Eye Killer?’; and general surgeon Dr Ooi Wei Keong, on breast cancer.