A successful ten-day Cataract Surgery Camp, a collaborative effort between COMSTECH, Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital Rawalpindi, and Al-Nur Foundation (Somalia), concluded, benefiting hundreds in Somalia with restored vision.
Held at Dalmar Specialized and Teaching Hospital in Mogadishu, the camp aimed to combat avoidable blindness in the country. A staggering 5,632 patients underwent screenings, leading to 550 identified candidates for cataract surgery. Skilled ophthalmologists from Al-Shifa Trust successfully performed 401 surgeries.
The initiative earned accolades from Somali dignitaries, including Senator Prof. Osman Dufle, Chairman of the Social Affairs Committee at the Somali Parliament, and former ministers, who praised the efforts of COMSTECH and Al-Shifa Trust. Prof. M.M. Hassan Bidey, Rector of Benadir University, expressed interest in continued collaboration.
Adhering to WHO protocols, the surgeries prioritized patient safety and quality care. Patients received comprehensive post-operative monitoring and medication guidance. Further, discussions with Hamza Adan Haadoow, Permanent Secretary of the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs, explored future collaborations.
The camp extended its services to remote communities, dedicating a day to patients from an island near Mogadishu. Additionally, seven congenital cataract surgeries underscored the camp’s commitment to addressing diverse vision impairments.
The camp’s success sets a precedent for future endeavors, with plans underway to replicate similar initiatives in Senegal, Kenya, Uganda, and Somalia. Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General of COMSTECH, hailed the camp’s role in eradicating avoidable blindness in Somalia. He thanked Maj. Gen. Rehmat Khan (R), President of Al-Shifa Eye Trust, for his leadership and support, envisioning future collaborations for eye camps in African member states.
Hamza Adan Haadoow, Permanent Secretary of the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs, lauded COMSTECH and Al-Shifa Trust for their unwavering commitment to combating avoidable blindness in Somalia, emphasizing their invaluable contributions.
