Kenechukwu Ofomah
Awka
In keeping with its resolve to provide affordable, first-class eye service to the people, the Centre for Sight Africa has opened a new branch at Umuchu in Aguata Council Area of Anambra State.
The centre, which opened six years ago with offices in Benin and Nkpor, specializes in advanced eye care and surgeries such as cataract.
The new Umuchu branch, located at Visitation hospital, Umuchu, is a product of collaboration between the centre and the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia.
He urged the people to patronize the Centre for their eyecare services and to spread the message for the others to know and take advantage of the provision.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Centre, Dr Godwin Okoye explained that the idea behind bringing the facility to the rural part of the state, was to provide affordable, subsidized, first-class eye service to people of the area.
“We are not doing this through our strength but through the mercies of God and the collaboration with Dr Dalil Prosper, who I describe as the best eye surgeon one can ever think of. This vision started six years ago, when we established in Benin. From there, we then moved to Nkpor and we are now extending our rural outreach to Umuchu. Our decision to come here is purely based on inspiration, because we strategize as our spirit leads us and that was how we got here. And we hope to reach other communities,” he said.
He pointed out that the cost of the advanced cataract removal surgeries at the Centre is highly affordable compared to what obtains elsewhere.
On whether there is a connection between high incidence of cataract and the remote places, Dr Okoye alluded to some extent, attributing the development to the fact that most people in the areas do not have the facilities so they leave their cataract lingering for a very long time.
“That is why some people do this archaic cataract procedure known as couching, where they use a needle and push the lens into your eyes. With this, you may see for some weeks and then the inflammation will set in.
“Most of the surgeons here remove cataract by cutting the eye almost 180 degrees, making a large incision and then they will suture the eye and when this is done many times, you’ve now changed the shape of the inner part and that affects the refraction. So many times, patients lose their sight. This procedure used for cataract removal, is usually painful and often result in inflammation and subsequent blindness for the patient.
“This is what we hope to change. The eye is a very delicate organ and must be handled with the proper care it deserves,” the eye surgeon maintained.
Chief Chukwuka Ifejika, a scholar, who had undergone the painless laser surgery on both eyes at the centre, while narrating his experience, said what he experienced in terms of treatment, could be likened to what obtains in developed countries of the world.
“I had done first on my right eye and then the left eye. It’s wonderful. When my right eye received laser surgery to remove the cataract, I understood what the centre can do. I hardly use glasses these days because I can use both eyes effectively. I can read anything you want me to read without my glasses. I couldn’t believe this was possible but with Centre for Sight Africa, I now have my sight back,” he said.
Other persons who had been treated at the Centre, Chief Charles Okoye and the Catechist at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Umuchu, Michael Ezeanyim, commended the owner of the Center for thinking home and bringing quality eye service closer to the people.
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