No fewer than 120 patients will benefit from the free cataract surgery sponsored by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, South South Nigeria.
Apart from the surgery, there is also free screening and eye treatment for patients who show up for the exercise, while 20 patients get N2 million.
Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Prof. Darlington Obaseki, on Tuesday, said that 100 adults and 20 children would benefit from the free surgery, noting that it was a good way to ease the tension on the patients who would have had to use their money for the operation.
He also commended the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China, for providing succour to eye patients at the hospital, expressing the hope that the gesture would be an enduring one.
He said, “This idea by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China is a laudable one and it is coming at a time when patients need it most. The economic situation is tough and this gesture will provide succour for many people in the UBTH.
“I commend the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China for these gestures and hope that it is not a one-off. The management of the UBTH is also ready to partner with the sponsor on programmes like this.”
Acting Consul General, Jin Mingyu, said that the embassy and the government of China were happy to give succour to Nigerians through free eye surgery.
He stated that it was a way of giving back to society, while urging the people to take advantage of the programme to improve their health, noting that the Consulate-General would always roll out programmes that would help Nigerians.
He noted that there were Chinese companies operating in the country, adding that those companies are thriving due to the support they get from the government and its people.
He said, “The free surgery is meant to help people with medical needs. We realise that this will help Nigerians so we decided to sponsor the treatment. We are happy to sponsor this free surgery and I hope that Nigerians will take advantage of it.”
UBTH Head of the Ophthalmology Department, Valentina Okeigbemen, said that the programme for free cataract surgeries in adults and children, is sponsored by the Chinese Consulate in Lagos majorly and the Yongxing Steel Company Limited in Edo State, in collaboration with the Edo State Ministry of Health, UBTH and the Edo State chapter of the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria.
She added, “We have a target to do a minimum of 120 cataract surgeries, 100 adult surgeries and 20 surgeries in children. We commenced screening on Wednesday, November 6 and have screened 30 people so far. Screening continues today.
“The department has been rendering service to the citizens of Edo State and its environs by carrying out subsidized cataract surgeries in adult patients every quarter.
“However, this programme is unique and the first of its kind, because first, cataract surgery will be performed on a minimum of 20 children and secondly, the cataract surgery in adults will be fully sponsored. When we say fully sponsored, it means the surgery fee and drugs for the adults have been paid for, while the surgery fees, investigations, admission and drugs for the children have been taken care of.
“This is quite commendable of the Chinese Consulate General and the Yongxing Steel Company Limited in their desire to contribute to the reduction of blindness in Edo State, particularly among the underprivileged.”
Caption: Some of the patients displaying their N100,000 dud cheque with the Chinese Consulate General and others at the free surgery initiative of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
PUNCH NEWS
