Cataract, which is a clouding of the lens of the eye is a leading cause of blindness especially among the aged in developing countries such as Ghana. However, the disease can be treated through surgery. In view of this that the Eye Clinic at Holy Family Catholic Hospital, Berekum in partnership with a US-based NGO, Himalayan Cataract Project (HCP) and Ghana Health Service organized a four day cataract surgery for patients from 3rd March to 6th March, 2025.
The beneficiaries were asked to come for the surgery after free eye-screening exercises conducted for about 2,429 from 3rd February to 6th March, 2025. These included the aged and young people from towns and villages including Badu, Drobo, Seikwa, Kokoa, Buni, Asiri, Goka, Asuokor, Duadaso 1 and 2, Ayenesu and Sunyani.
A team of four Ophthalmologists, one Optometrist, six ophthalmic nurses and six supporting staff carried the surgeries at the hospital and successfully operated on 160 patients to restore their sight.
With the significant impact of this Surgery, it is expected that more patients would benefit in subsequent years but it also depends on the level of support the hospital gets from benevolence individuals and organizations for similar activity in the future.
