1418 Patients Receive Sight-Restoring Surgery in Ghana

From January through July 2007, Unite For Sight coordinated and sponsored surgery for 1,418 patients in Ghana, while providing eye care services to thousands more.  

"The question I have always asked myself is 'what would have happened to all these people who have benefited from Unite For Sight programs had the organization not come to their aid?' It is likely that many would have perished in their agony," Dr. James Clarke of Crystal Eye Clinic, Ghana, wrote in an article published in the UK-journal Eye News.  Ghana is a country in West Africa with only 45 ophthalmologists for a population of more than 26 million people.  With so few ophthalmologists, Ghana cannot meet the eye care needs of the majority of the population.  Further complicating the situation of lack of eye care professionals is the fact that poor patients in rural areas are usually unaware that their blindness may be curable or preventable.  Even those aware of eye care services will often not pursue treatment due to fear or expense.

In response to this overwhelming need, Unite For Sight works with three eye clinics to provide eye care for patients living in extreme poverty.  Unite For Sight's partner eye clinics include Crystal Eye Clinic (Accra), Our Lady of Grace Hospital (Asikuma Breman), and Eye Clinic of Tamale Teaching Hospital (Tamale).

In Accra, ophthalmic nurses Robert Dolo and Kartee Karlowewah work daily with Unite For Sight student volunteers to screen hundreds of patients per week.  They provide on-site medication and reading glasses in the villages, and refer those requiring advanced care and surgery to Dr. James Clarke, MD, at Crystal Eye Clinic.

Unite For Sight also works with Dr. Wanye at Eye Clinic of Tamale Teaching Hospital in Tamale, Ghana, as well as with Dr. Baah at Our Lady of Grace Hospital in Asikuma Breman.  Student volunteers work closely with Dr. Wanye and Dr. Baah, as well as with their staff, to provide screening outreach initiatives in the community.  Unite For Sight also funds cataract surgeries for the patients.

Dr. Wanye is the only eye doctor for 2 million people in the entire Northern Region of Ghana.  Prior to Unite For Sight's partnership with Dr. Wanye, he often went months without providing a single cataract surgery because the community members could not afford the cost of surgery.

"Unite For Sight is doing tremendous work where it is definitely needed," said Nicholas Greene, Unite For Sight volunteer in Tamale during Summer 2006.  "What stands out the most from my experience is the commitment and dedication that Dr. Wanye gives to his patients.  He had an overwhelming duty of serving as the Ophthalmologist for the Northern region of Ghana and did wonderful work throughout our stay."

About Unite For Sight

Unite For Sight® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that empowers communities worldwide to improve eye health and eliminate preventable blindness. Unite For Sight's unwavering commitment to creating a real, lasting impact involves three types of programs: chapters in North America, international eye care outreach programs, and an annual global health conference. Unite For Sight has trained more than 4,000 volunteers who work in their local communities and abroad to provide eye health programs for those without previous access and has provided eye care services to more than 600,000 people worldwide.

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