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Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
MORE than 2 000 villagers in Binga received free eye treatment and spectacles from a group of doctors and opticians from an American organisation.

Executive Director for Hope Zimbabwe, Dr Jabulani Mudenda, a Bulawayo based doctor who was born and grew up at Pashu Village in Binga, organised the event.

The medical practitioners from Sight Ministries International, partnered with Hope Zimbabwe, a private voluntary organisation based in Bulawayo and Binga District Hospital to offer the free service to the community.

Two doctors, one physician and 13 technicians made up the American team.

Leader of the American group and director of operations, Dr Scott Settegast said they opened a three- day eye clinic for villagers between Monday and Wednesday last week.

“We feel proud and it gives us so much pleasure to see the way the people are appreciating our services. We are checking the villagers’ eyes, doing all necessary procedures and prescribing as required. We attended to thousands and 2 124 were provided with sight glasses, sun glasses and reading glasses.

“We attended to more than 1 000 school going children and 462  received reading and sight glasses,” he said.

Dr Jabulani Mudenda said by offering the free service, he was giving back to the Pashu community. “During my visit to the US, I managed to liaise with these eye doctors who provided the free service which was appreciated by the community,” he said.

Dr Mudenda said villagers came in their numbers with some coming from as far as 60 km away.

Binga Medical Officer, Dr Welcome Mlilo said the programme was a welcome initiative that benefited many people.

“I’m especially pleased for the school going children who had their eye sight challenges attended to early and some got spectacles,” he said.

Sight Ministries provided spectacles and consumables worth $12 400 for the eye clinic programme.

@winnie_masara