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Doctors perform free eye cataract operation on patients at Richard Morris Hospital in Bulawayo on Wednesday. (Picture by Eliah Saushoma)

Crystabel Chikayi, Chronicle Reporter
Richard Morris Hospital in Bulawayo has started free eye surgeries in a programme that is expected to benefit up to 500 patients to prevent further damage to eyes and prevent possible blindness.

The programme, which started on Monday and ends today comes as a relief, especially for the under-privileged who struggled to access treatment necessary to fully restore their vision.

The programme was sponsored by the Council for the Blind.

One of those who benefited from the five day Eye Camp was 80-year-old Mr Mhike Ramundlwa of Mberengwa who said for the past 15 years he could not see properly.

“I am 80 years old and having a surgery for free, to me it’s new and I believe it’s by the grace of God,” said Mr Ramundlwa.

Dr Emmanuel Zhou, a Bulawayo eye specialist, who is the Director of Eye Camp said the programme was fully sponsored by the Council for the Blind.

“The Eye Camp has been a success because of the Council for the Blind which fully sponsored the camp.

“We are attending to some eye patients who booked for treatment in October. We even had outreach programmes, going to peri-urban places to encourage those with difficulties in seeing to register,” said Dr Zhou.

He said eight local doctors and nurses from Matabeleland South were undertaking the surgeries.

Dr Zhou said they were attending to at least 100 patients a day.

He said people who fail to get help in this programme can register for the next eye camp that will be held in April next year sponsored by Islamic Association of Zimbabwe.

— @cchikayi