Over 100 people had their sight restored through eye surgery in Laisamis after a MAF plane landed carrying eye specialists!
Screening, diagnosing, and treating 532 patients, and performing 149 sight-restoring cataract surgeries have undoubtedly brought about life-changing outcomes for those individuals.
The eye specialists bring help, hope and healing to the community every time they fly with MAF. MAF Pilot Daniel Gill flew a team of 10 eye specialists with medical equipment to a remote airstrip in northern Kenya for a five-day eye surgical camp.
Although we did not achieve our target of 300 cataract surgeries, we successfully provided eye care services to numerous patients, diagnosing and treating various eye conditions.
The presence of Dr Adan Alamin, the Chief Officer of Medical Services in Marsabit County, and his acknowledgement of the impact of the eye surgical camp reflect the significance of such initiatives in improving community eye health.
“Although we did not achieve our target of 300 cataract surgeries, we successfully provided eye care services to numerous patients, diagnosing and treating various eye conditions,” he noted.
Rose Gichengo, the Project Assistant at Fred Hollows Foundation highlights the importance of their work in providing eye care to underserved communities. Leading a team of specialists, Rose was present at the Laisamis surgical eye camp where they provided essential eye care services.
"At the Foundation we believe that everybody no matter who they are or where they live has a right to sight, every individual who received care at the Laisamis surgical eye camp is a testament to the importance of such initiatives and partnerships between The Fred Hollows Foundation, Mission Aviation Fellowship and the County government of Marsabit in underserved communities.”
“We also recognize the importance of sustainable eye care solutions and are exploring ways to collaborate with local partners and authorities to establish more permanent eye care facilities in Marsabit County.”
Cataracts can cause severe vision impairment and restoring sight through surgery can significantly improve the quality of life for affected individuals, enabling them to lead more independent and fulfilling lives.
The initiative also highlighted the importance of early intervention for children diagnosed with congenital and traumatic cataracts, as they were referred to tertiary facilities for appropriate surgical care. Additionally, the 5 TT (Trachomatous trichiasis) surgeries conducted to prevent vision loss due to trachoma and the 12 Excision surgeries further demonstrate the comprehensive approach taken to address various eye conditions.
Restoring sight through eye surgeries profoundly impacts individuals and their communities. Vision is a fundamental sense that significantly influences a person's quality of life, independence, and ability to participate in education, work, and social activities.
By using aircraft to fly in medical teams, equipment, and supplies, MAF enables medical professionals to overcome geographical barriers and reach these isolated areas efficiently and effectively. Driving from Nairobi would take over seven hours on a good day, time better spent treating patients.
Overall, the success of this eye surgical camp serves as an inspiring example of how collaborative efforts can bring about positive change and transform the lives of those in need.
