SOROTI-The North Indian Cultural Association [NICA] of Uganda in collaboration with the government has unveiled plans to conduct the 68th free eye screening and 19th cataract surgery camp in eastern Uganda.
The eye screening will take place at SSDM Temple in Jinja City from November 1-3, 2022, while the cataract surgery camp will take place at Serere Health Centre IV in Serere district between November 4-6, 2022.
The camp is being sponsored by Eye Camp Africa Charity UK in partnership with SSDM Temple, and Dr. Ssali and Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital
Gulshan Ram, the chairperson of NICA Uganda told this reporter that the free eye screening and cataract surgery camp provides free eye checks, treatments, glasses, and cataract surgeries to underprivileged Ugandans with eye complications.
“Cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness in middle-income families, the highest burden is thought to be in the Teso, Karamoja, and Busoga regions,” said Gulshan.
According to him, cataracts cause 57 percent of blindness cases in the nation, and uncorrected refractive errors are the most frequent cause of visual impairment.
More than 2,000 people with different eye problems are expected to benefit from screening glasses and eye medicines while 100 will benefit from cataract surgeries during the free eye screening and surgery camps.
“With the growing number of eye complications amongst underprivileged Ugandans. We believe that helping the needy with the gift of sight is a noble cause for humankind,” stated Gulshan.
Rajesh Agrawal, Narayan Seva Santhan [NSS] Team Leader said they are will also screen adults and children with physical limb disabilities.
“We are happy that this screening in the camps will also identify people who need support of artificial limbs or some surgery’, especially the kids,” Agrawal explained.
Meanwhile, Pingire County MP, Fred Opolot who is also the chairperson Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Indian Affairs expected to flag off the health camp is grateful to the Indians for the kind gesture.
“I want to extend sincere gratitude to the North Indian Cultural Association [NICA] of Uganda who have done a lot of work to support the unprivileged Ugandans with eye complications,” said Opolot.
He believes initiatives of this nature are highly essential as they complement government efforts.
According to Opolot, NICA Uganda interventions are informed by the political environment, which has allowed the Indians who were expelled by late President Idi Amin fifty years ago to return.
“The current government under the stewardship of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has wholeheartedly welcomed the Indian community back to Uganda and allowed them to freely operate their businesses and socially interact with the Ugandan community,” said Opolot
NICA comprises a team of like-minded expatriates with the objective to promote the culture of serving the unprivileged people in Uganda.
Since its establishment in 2011, NICA Uganda has carried out 67 free eye screening camps, scanned 29,192 patients, and distributed 10,931 free spectacles, 1463 free cataract surgeries, and three free cornea transplants.
https://thecooperator.news/2000-patients-in-otuke-benefit-from-medical-camp/
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