By Prince Trevor Mugenga
The Lions Club of Mbarara in partnership with the Lions Club of Kisoro District have embarked on a four-day surgical camp for patients suffering from Cataracts disease at St. Francis Hospital, Mutolere.
Bernard Kakuhikire, the President of Mbarara Lions Club said they have been running a four-year program in six hospitals across Kigezi region called Lions Comprehensive Eye Care Project.
Under the program, patients benefit from a subsidized program where three quarters of the costs of an eye operation are covered by the Lions Club.
Kakuhikire says the cost of Cataracts surgery at Mutolere Hospital would ordinarily cost 600,000 Ugandan Shillings however under the project, patients will only be required to pay 200,000 Ugandan Shillings.
Cataract remains the leading cause of blindness in low- and middle-income countries.
A 2018 report says the prevalence of blindness in Uganda is estimated to be about 1% in the general population and 9% in the people aged 50 years.
Lion Sison Mugisha, President of Lions Club of Kisoro said offering such discounts to the community will go a long way in encouraging more people to embrace early screening as well as seeking early treatment for eye diseases.
He commended Lions Club for having such important programs that help improve on quality of life for many people who are unable to afford such medical services.
Nsekuye Pascal, the Principal Therapy Clinical Officer at Mutolere Hospital for more than 30 years said the campaign has so far managed to attract 25 patients who will benefit.
He explained that all ophthalmic surgeons that conduct such camps come from Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.
Nsekuye who is also a Lion called on the public to utilize this opportunity to access quality medical care at subsidized prices.
Aidah Sembagale, one of the beneficiaries says, her eyesight has been a big problem for her, being unable to read or even move long distances but all this is bound to change upon undergoing her eye surgical operation.
Discussion about this post