The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), in partnership with partners, has conducted a cataract removal campaign and rehabilitation of ophthalmological services at health facilities in war-affected areas of Amhara and Afar regional states.
Mrs. Hiwot Solomon, Head of the Disease Prevention Directorate at FMoH said the campaign benefitted more than 3000 patients who had missed their scheduled treatment because of the war. The Director thanked governmental and non-governmental partners, including private ophthalmological service providers, associations, and individuals for their support and participation in making the campaign the success it was. The partners contributed more than 24 million birrs as well as professional support for the implementation of the program, she said.
Mrs. Menbere Belay, Eye Health Program coordinator at FMoH indicated the week-long campaign targeted cataract patients in localities highly affected by the disease. She said ophthalmological units at the Dessie, Woldiya, Dubti, and Mohamed Akil hospitals all of which were affected by the devastating war were also supplied with the necessary equipment and drugs to enable them to provide regular services.
Mr. Sisay Tebeje, CEO of the Boru Meda Hospital in Dessie city, expressed appreciation to those who organized and participated in the campaign, and said close to 1000 patients who had been blind due to cataracts have recovered their sight over the course of three days of the campaign conducted at the Hospital.
A cataract is responsible for about 50 percent of blindness in Ethiopia.