The Kavango East and West Health Directorates launched a "Cataract Surgical Eye Campaign" at the Intermediate Rundu Hospital.

The long-awaited campaign is themed "Restoring Hope and Freedom."

The campaign targets more than 400 patients in the two regions and has so far operated on 240 patients. 

Rundu Mayor Andreas Jikerwa said the campaign continues to play a critical role in preventing avoidable blindness and restoring vision to thousands of Namibians.

"Cataract remains one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide and in Namibia. According to available estimates, cataracts account for approximately half of all cases of blindness in the country. Fortunately, advances in medical science have made it possible to restore sight through a safe, effective, and relatively affordable surgical procedure.”

Intermediate Rundu Hospital has Ophthalmologist and Optometrist teams, but there is a need for additional specialists.

Superintendent at the Intermediate Rundu Hospital, Theresia Shivera, gave an overview of the campaign.

"I am deeply honored by this important initiative that reflects our commitment to improving the health and the quality of life of the people we serve, especially the elderly population. It's a glimpse of a journey that will restore such a new independence and transform the lives of hundreds of patients from across the two Kavango regions."

Patients also shared the experiences.

“On the first day when I arrived at the hospital, I could not see at all. The health workers were very helpful in assisting me to walk towards the ward room. Later, I found myself in a surgery room lying down on the bed. I then felt a sharp object inserted into my eye, followed by a hand touching my forehead around the eyelid. The next thing I can remember is waking up with a dressing covering half of my face. Minutes later, they removed it, and during that moment, my life was completely changed because I could see again,” said Victoria Kudumo from Sivara Village.

“I can now see clearly compared to when I first arrived at the hospital. I can now read from a far distance. This is my second operation following the first time when I was operated on one eye. This time around I came back for another operation on the remaining eye. I am extremely proud of my vision, and it is now reminding me of when I was a young handsome man,” added Paulus Mbanze from Rundu.

The campaign ended on Friday.