Online Reporter
Andrew Muvishi
Mashonaland East Correspondent
AT LEAST 30 people received free cataract surgery at Marondera Provincial Hospital under a partnership between the Muslim World League and the Marondera community leadership.
The programme was being rolled out under the theme “Free health to all”, a joint effort that aimed at having all Marondera residents with cataracts operated on.
A team of specialists led by Dr Mathias Mukona screened 260 patients, 30 of them were operated while 230 were given free drugs.
Speaking after the operations, Dr Mukona urged people with eyesight problems to present for screening.
“We still want more people to come so that no one will be left with eyesight problems, cataracts are one of the leading causes of reversible blindness among people over 50 years,” he said.
“Age-related cataracts are the most common, followed by cataracts related to injuries and those associated with medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus.”
Zimbabwe has between 60 000 and 100 000 people affected by cataracts who are in need of surgery.
Ward 5 Councillor Dr Moses Ndoro, who facilitated the programme, said the screening is going to continue to ensure those who would have missed the programme are catered for.
“We want to cater for all people as we are advocating for free health to all and there will also be concurrent care for new patients,” he said.
Patients who underwent screening expressed joy at the opportunity to access the services, which are not affordable to most.
Mr Noah Makoto could not hide his joy as he said he can now see clearly.
“I started having problems with my eyes last year and my vision became blurry, now I am seeing clearly,” he said.
Mrs Jonga said she gradually lost her sight because of eye cataracts.
“I developed eye problems a long time ago when I was still at work. I was given some medicines, but my eyesight did not improve till today, when I was operated,” she said.
“I was asked to wear spectacles and nothing changed, I just want to thank Clr Ndoro for facilitating this surgery.”
