Turkish agency organizes cataract surgery camp in Kenya

By Andrew Wasike and Magdalene Mukami

ISIOLO, Kenya (AA) - The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) on Wednesday performed free-of-cost eye surgeries for nomads in Isiolo County, Kenya.

The semi-arid county in the northeast is among the poorest in Kenya, characterized by extreme weather conditions and temperatures of above 35 degree Celsius all-year-round with little or no rain.

The residents are mostly poor nomads whose livestock has been affected by continued droughts.

A week-long eye camp was organized jointly by TIKA and the Mama Ibado Charitable Foundation. It brought together ophthalmologists, surgeons and optometrists from across Kenya to perform cataract surgeries.

Cataracts develop due to exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays.

The disease is also associated with old age, said Dr. Francis Sampele, an ophthalmologist.

Patients, all of them senior citizens, from across the country stream in at the Isiolo Referral Hospital. Some are brought in by relatives, others walk supported by a stick.

- New life

Among them is 75-year-old Esther Nyambura Githaiga, who is accompanied by her youngest daughter 41-year-old Mary Githaiga.

She sits behind a banner which reads: "TIKA: Restoring vision of our seniors".

She brushes back her winter-white hair from her wrinkled face. She forces a smile when a doctor taps her on the shoulder, after seeing she is not responding to her waving, a clear sign of her failing vision.

Taking unsteady steps, she walks to the ophthalmic microscope to find that she is totally blind, and only responds to bright light. She is prepared for surgery.

A few jabs of anesthesia and a 15-minute surgery later, she emerges with a patch on her left eye.

The surgery is a success. She is told that the next day her vision will be clear as crystal. She is excited.

In a weak voice, she tells Anadolu Agency: "I could not even tell apart my relatives. I only respond to bright light and I have even forgotten my childhood friend’s face. I can’t wait to see her.

"I am grateful to the people of Turkey. They came and saved me and my community. We rarely receive any help, especially us old people."

Nyambura is among the 78 patients who had successful surgeries. The camp is targeting 400 people.

- Giving back

Dr. Agnes Maio told Anadolu Agency that a cataract surgery normally costs more than 150,000 Kenyan shillings ($1500).

“I am happy that I am doing this for free because the community here earns less than a dollar a day.

"It feels good. The patients walk in blind and when they come back to take off their bandage [they can see]. They thank me."

TIKA Nairobi Coordinator Emre Yuksek said: “Turkey is keen to support Kenya’s health sector. This is the first medical camp of its kind in Kenya and we hope to continue these camps in the future."