Geneva Global has constructed an eye clinic at Saint Pauls Mission hospital in Nchelenge district at a cost of K400 million.
The eye clinic houses an optical workshop with the production rate of 15 – 20 glasses per day, that will carter for Nchelenge, Kawambwa, Kaputa and Chiengi districts.
During a colourful opening ceremony held at Saint Pauls Mission hospital yesterday, Geneva Global Envoy Warren Lancaster said, the facility would help reduce cases of eye problems in Nchelenge.
Mr. Lancaster said the Eye facility has been constructed under the Luapula Blindness Prevention Strategic initiative following research studies of the 1960’s and year 2000 that revealed high rates of eye infections and blindness in the Luapula valley.
Mr. Lancaster explained that, to mitigate the alarming rates of eye infections and blindness in the area the organization embarked on constructing the Eye Care facility at St Pauls Mission hospital and to provide specialized professionals.
The Envoy said the eye project which has been running for two years now has since trained 49 medical staff in Nchelenge, Kaputa, Kawambwa and Chienge districts in primary eye care.
He further said, 164 community treatment supporters have been trained in community sensitization on eye care treatment and mobilization of eye patients for surgery.
He said over 25 000 patients with different eye diseases have been treated and that about 1, 384 have undergone surgery.
He however, noted that transportation of patients to and from the hospital and demand for ophthalmic drugs was not consistent.
Mr. Lancaster appealed to the government to assist the eye clinic with transport and the provision of ophthalmic drugs, to ensure the project is sustained.
And Nchelenge District Commissioner, Oswell Musanda commended Geneva Global for supplementing government’s efforts in the provision of transport, drugs, equipment and specialized human resource to the health sector.
Mr. Musanda said government was grateful to Geneva Global for its unwavering support to Zambia and thanked Saint Pauls Mission hospital for accepting to have the eye clinic constructed.
ZANIS
Good development – hope the money will bring the intended results. Thanks GG.
After stealing from our own government coffers they look to donors to construct a clinic like this.Thanks Geneva global
This is what we want to hear, well done. am #2
Someone needs to keep an eye on this money , or else it might gone with the winds,
Mutampe nokulya umusalu ku Luapula to curb your blindness problems. Thanks St Pauls and the donor for the initiative, you have made one of my uncles who had serious cataracts be able to see the world clearer
The only problem i have with these projects is that once the initiators are gone the whole thing collapses,the moment they initiate such programmes they should emphasise on sustainability from local resources(GRZ).I wonder how such a similar project initiated years ago at Mwami Adventist hospital in Chipata district is running?