ADJUMANI, UGANDA: Mengo hospital in partnership with Christian Blind Mission (CBM) has been screening and treating patients with eye-related problems in Adjumani general hospital.
The medical outreach program was requested by Adjumani district woman member of parliament Hon. Jeska Ababiku who also provided logistical assistance to the team.
Throughout the medical camp, there were over 1000 patients screened, out of which 13 children tested positive of the eye disease and 8 were sent to Mengo hospital for surgery which was done successfully as tracing of the remaining five is underway by Adjumani hospital administration.
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that affects the optic nerve which may lead to loss of vision and blindness. The disease can be caused by illness, injuries or even inherited from birth which may lead to the wearing of glasses by people from the age of 40 years old.
Ms Nassolo Brenda the ophthalmic clinical officer at Mengo hospital said this eye problem is normally caused by cataracts, some children are born with the disease so for one to survive it needs to be operated on when still young.
She also said that three out of the five patients screened are found positive for cataracts which causes a very big threat to the health system of the district. she further revealed that five out of the ten screened for glaucoma test positive.
The Adjumani district medical superintendent Dr Michael Ambaku lauded the help given by Mengo hospital for the eye patients.
Dr Ambaku pointed out the big gap in the hospital in the line of treating eye-related illnesses that they lack most of the important equipment used during surgery like slit lamps, and tonometer which made them use locally available equipment. The hospital also lacks an eye specialist.
Ms Judith Kemigisa said the Mengo hospital is on the verge of constructing an eye complex and training doctors, clinical officers and others in the community to treat people with eye conditions, treating and rehabilitating people with eye conditions. Do school outreach and sponsor surgery which made them provide a holistic approach to eye intervention to the people of Uganda.
“For one to access a successful surgery from Mengo hospital one needs to cough between 1.2m to 1.5m,“ says Nsamba David, an Eye clinician.
Simon Mugerwa a social worker working with Mengo hospital has lauded the administration of the hospital for their continuous support each time they have come for outreach and thanked the ministry of health and government of Uganda for setting up such a nice facility to carter for the lives of people with eye problems.
He also called for joint efforts by all stakeholders to fight the increasing number of patients suffering from cataracts in Adjumani district for both host communities and refugees.
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