By: Gerda Potgieter
Doctors for Life International’s Aid to Africa outreach is making a significant difference by helping people regain their sight.
Last month, Doctors For Life International (DFL) returned to Mozambique to perform sight-restoring surgeries. Their Aid to Africa outreach efforts in 2024 brought hope to many individuals, and this time, the team heightened the level of support. After five days of packing and travelling, the volunteer team, including three eye specialists and two nurses, arrived in Barra.
The surgeries took place at Inhambane Provincial Hospital, and the successes far outweighed the difficulties! The Aid to Africa outreach marked a significant milestone, helping a remarkable 120 patients in a single week. This figure doubled the number of individuals supported in the previous year, reflecting the initiative’s growing impact.
Among those receiving care was a six-year-old girl who was grappling with severe corneal pressure regulation issues. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the medical team, she received the vital help she needed, transforming her journey towards recovery and hope.
To highlight the distinct challenges and significant impact of these outreach projects, project leader Johan Claassen shared an inspiring story about a 97-year-old woman who had lost her sight completely. First, she underwent an eyelid operation to treat trachoma, which was causing her cornea to become scarred and leading to blindness. She was completely blind in both eyes due to cataracts. Even if the cataracts were removed, trachoma would eventually cause secondary blindness if the team did not treat her to prevent it. The procedures took longer than usual because of additional complications. Although the doctor was able to remove the cataract, the team could not implant a new lens immediately. She should be able to see light and movement for now. The critical aspect of this case is that the trachoma surgery was successful, and the local doctors can attempt to implant the lens again in about six weeks after the first procedure.
The elderly lady was the last patient assisted through this outreach. The doctor said they haven’t personally encountered so many cases of dense cataracts, which can cause complete blindness, as in Mozambique.
The Aid to Africa team of volunteers not only regularly reaches out to the poorest of the poor but also trains local caregivers and healthcare workers. That is why this outreach is one of the few sustainable programs of its kind and why it grows each year exponentially.
DFL runs short-term, mobile medical clinics in remote, underserved parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. Its volunteering teams include specialists, doctors, and other helpers and cooks. They provide free medical examinations to people who might otherwise have limited access to healthcare. Restoring vision for many people who have no means or access to such treatment is a key service they provide. Beyond surgery, they supply medicines to local communities, including the distribution of other health-related items, such as mosquito nets. Their medical outreaches also included a spiritual ministry component.
The post DFL’s Aid to Africa outreach – By Gerda Potgieter appeared first on The Home Of Great South African News.
Last month, Doctors For Life International (DFL) returned to Mozambique to perform sight-restoring surgeries
The post DFL’s Aid to Africa outreach – By Gerda Potgieter appeared first on The Home Of Great South African News. Read More
