NAN-H-24
Cataract
By Olanrewaju Akojede
Lagos, Oct. 23, 2017 (NAN) A South Korean health institution, Vision Care, on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) to undertake free treatment of cataract.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the MoU between Vision Care and LASUTH was signed at the hospital in Ikeja as the the free surgery in which 100 persons are to benefit free began
The delegation from the South Korea was led by its Consul General, Mr Lee Young Hwan and Team Manager, Vision Care, Mr Song Daeyong and the LASUTH team by the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof Wale Oke.
Others members of LASUTH team included Head of Eye Clinic, Dr Modupe Idris, and Deputy Director, Clinical Services, Dr Victor Adewale.
In his address of welcome, Oke said that the hospital was committed to providing not only affordable treatment to the public but also seek ways to help to provide free treatments.
“Our vision is to provide qualitative treatments in most affordable ways but more than that, we are also exploring ways through which we can provide these services free of charge to indigent patients.
“We will not rest on our oars in making sure that members of the public who cannot afford the hospital bills get help through the windows open to our hospitals.
“Also, with the help of the state government, we are committed to bringing innovations and accessible healthcare to the people of Lagos in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
“The hospital is open to any partnership that seeks to develop the healthcare system in Lagos State as we strive to remain the destination for qualitative healthcare in Nigeria,’’ he said.
Oke also said that the partnership with the Korean representative would help to bring about technical transfer of knowledge to the hospital and support to people living with cataract in Nigeria.
“This initiative will lend a helping hand to our ophthalmologists by providing free services and care for the people of Lagos State, especially people living with cataract and other visual impairments.
“I must commend the magnanimity of our friends from South Korea for their interest in LASUTH and Lagos State and their undying commitment to restore vision in people who cannot afford the cost of surgery.
“This partnership is no doubt a beneficial one as we have made it an annual mission to reach out to those who are really suffering from cataract.
“On this day, we are signing an MOU that will last for years to come. I also commend our local team for their support and loyalty in providing skills required for the surgery,’’ he said.
Speaking, the Head Vision Care, Daeyong, said the mission of his team was to alleviate the suffering of those suffering from cataract and other eye diseases.
“Our passion is to provide the necessary support to those suffering from cataract. It is an initiative conceived by us to help those that are in need of treatment and surgery for cataract.
“We are happy providing this help and with the understanding from LASUTH, we hope to do more by providing more of the services to the people of Nigeria.
“Our team includes volunteer doctors, health officials and others who are well skilled in the treatment and surgery of cataract and they will be providing their services free of charge.
“We will also seek better ways of providing services through transfer of skills to the LASUTH doctors on the treatment and surgery of cataract,’’ he said.
Also, Dr Modupe Idris said that the Department of Eye Clinic was ready to provide the necessary technical and personnel support toward a hitch-free surgery to more than 100 patients during the exercise.
“Our doctors are fortified to carry out the operations and treatment of cataract; not only that, we now have understanding that when the expatriates from Korea return to their country, we will continue.
“There will be more than 100 beneficiaries of this free surgery that will be made possible through the effort of the team from Korea and our doctors.
“Another benefit includes transfer of knowledge to our doctors, this is a well thought out initiatives which will further enhance our skills,’’ she said. (NAN)
KOJE/AOS/PDE
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(Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Peter Ejiofor)