Eye specialists operating under Vocational Training Team (VTT) from the United States (US) and Denmark are in the country to conduct free eye clinics at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe.
The doctors are in the country under the sponsorship of Rotary International through Lilongwe Rotary Club.
Speaking on arrival, the doctors’ team leader Bob McClenathan said they hope to screen about 2 500 patients.
“Unfortunately, we can’t provide surgery but we will provide eye glasses, medication as needed, reading glasses and check people for eye diseases. In addition, we also want to treat about 100 people with albinism and try to take care of their vision problems,” he said.
McClenathan said apart from the eye clinics, the team will also share experiences with practising medical students in the country.
Lilongwe Rotary Club president George Mwale said the eye clinic project is one of the many charity works Rotarians carry out in the country.
He said: “This is the second project we are doing with KCH. Earlier this year we brought experts who conducted dental surgery and treatment for free. Due to high poverty levels, there are many Malawians across the country who cannot afford to pay for eye treatment and this offers them an opportunity.
On his part, Association of Persons Living with Albinism national coordinator Boniface Massa has since thanked the visiting delegation for considering people living with albinism.
“Naturally, people with albinism are born with eye problems because of melanin deficiency. This is a welcome assistance and we will make use of it,” he said.
The free eye clinics started Wednesday and will end on September 25. n
