Over 70 people in remote areas of Northern Province have regained their sight over the last two weeks.
With much appreciation to the YWAM Medical Ships’ ophthalmology (eye surgery) patrol and assistance from New Britain Palm Oil Limited, Pacific International Hospital and the Laila Foundation.
A further 676 received optometry assessment for sight-enhancing spectacles.
Both cataract and pterygium surgeries were performed aboard the MV YWAM PNG’s day procedure unit during her patrol to 18 coastal and inland villages throughout Ijivitari and Sohe Districts.
YWAM Medical Ships Partner Relations Manager, Dr Sarah Dunn, said that the successful outreach was a team effort.
Among the 73 surgical patients, include a paediatric nurse from Tufi Health Centre, Stanley Lekons.
Lekons had been greatly limited in his work over the last few years due to severe cataracts.
Important tasks like reading the print on vials and samples were impossible.
Following a successful cataract surgery, Lekons’ vision improved from 6/60 (top of the eye chart) to 6/9 (near the bottom of the eye chart) overnight. With this renewed ability to practice, Stanley reported he is most looking forward to resuming immunisations patrols to remote areas in his catchment.
Lekons’ surgery was performed by Indian ophthalmologist, Dr Vivekaraj Jairaj, who is soon to join Pacific International Hospital as full time ophthalmologist. Dr Jairaj volunteered his services with the support of the Laila Foundation.
Aboard for the patrol were 100+ volunteers from 18 different nations, including 25 Papua New Guinean health professionals, mariners and general volunteers.
The MV YWAM PNG set sail for Siassi Island, Morobe Province, over the weekend for her next deployment.