In short
Dr Ronald Dhirumuka, an ophthalmologist at Fort Portal Referral Hospital says the exercise was aimed at operating and treating eye patients to prevent blindness and loss of vision. He explains that 65 patients who were treated from Ntoroko, Kyegegwa and Kamwenge had used traditional herbs prior to treatment due to lack of eye services in the districts.
More than 370 eye patients from the Tooro region have received free treatment and operations at Fort Portal Referral hospital.
Twenty six of them had complex cases and were successfully operated during the four-day eye treatment camp organised by the North Indian Cultural Association of Uganda. Eighty-six lenses were given to patients during the camp, which was part of the activities to mark King Oyo's 22nd Coronation anniversary, the Empango, slated for Saturday.
The exercise was carried out by Dr Ronald Dhirumuka, an ophthalmologist at Fort Portal Referral Hospital, assisted by medical staff attached to the eye clinic. Majority of the patients were treated for complications related to cataracts, trachoma and glaucoma.
Dr Dhirumuka says the exercise was aimed at operating and treating eye patients to prevent blindness and loss of vision. He explains that 65 patients who were treated from Ntoroko, Kyegegwa and Kamwenge had used traditional herbs prior to treatment due to lack of eye services in the districts.
According to Dhirumuka, the use of herbs complicates the treatment of eye diseases. He also says that patients should receive regular checkups to avoid eye complications.
//Cue in; 'The patients…
Cue out: "…eyes spoilt.'//
Faith Atuhairwe, a patient and resident of Rukunyu Sub County in Kamwenge district says that she is happy her sight has been restored after she went blind in 2013. She explains that in the past, she has been facing difficulty seeking treatment due to lack of drugs and inadequate eye specialists in Kamwenge.
King Oyo, who closed the camp on Thursday, said that a similar campaign should be carried out next year.
According to records at the eye clinic located at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, each month, more than 200 patients who seek treatment suffer from trachoma and river blindness.
Twenty six of them had complex cases and were successfully operated during the four-day eye treatment camp organised by the North Indian Cultural Association of Uganda. Eighty-six lenses were given to patients during the camp, which was part of the activities to mark King Oyo's 22nd Coronation anniversary, the Empango, slated for Saturday.
The exercise was carried out by Dr Ronald Dhirumuka, an ophthalmologist at Fort Portal Referral Hospital, assisted by medical staff attached to the eye clinic. Majority of the patients were treated for complications related to cataracts, trachoma and glaucoma.
Dr Dhirumuka says the exercise was aimed at operating and treating eye patients to prevent blindness and loss of vision. He explains that 65 patients who were treated from Ntoroko, Kyegegwa and Kamwenge had used traditional herbs prior to treatment due to lack of eye services in the districts.
According to Dhirumuka, the use of herbs complicates the treatment of eye diseases. He also says that patients should receive regular checkups to avoid eye complications.
//Cue in; 'The patients…
Cue out: "…eyes spoilt.'//
Faith Atuhairwe, a patient and resident of Rukunyu Sub County in Kamwenge district says that she is happy her sight has been restored after she went blind in 2013. She explains that in the past, she has been facing difficulty seeking treatment due to lack of drugs and inadequate eye specialists in Kamwenge.
King Oyo, who closed the camp on Thursday, said that a similar campaign should be carried out next year.
According to records at the eye clinic located at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, each month, more than 200 patients who seek treatment suffer from trachoma and river blindness.
