A team of 22 ophthalmologists, nurses, and support staff, gathered at Tsholotsho District Hospital in Zimbabwe in early May to follow up on Imvelo Safari Lodges’ Smile & See programme for patients who needed surgery that could not be done in the field.
A total of 125 patients were screened on site and successful surgeries were performed on 58 patients, ranging in age from 28 years to one woman over 100 years old.
“Each patient had one eye operation and a lens inserted; others did not qualify, for reasons including immature cataracts, high blood pressure, uncontrolled diabetes, and other ailments,” Imvelo Safari Lodges said in a newsletter.
In just one example, Privilege Nkomo, a 28-year-old woman, who was totally blind, has diabetes, and uses a stick to get about, had been cared for by her mother who said it was very difficult to look after her and do household chores.
“Thanks to the surgery, she will be better able to take care of herself, and maybe even find a job. When she recovers, her other eye will be operated on so that she can gain full sight,” Imvelo Safari Lodges added.
During Imvelo’s outreach, doctors, nursing staff, and patients were provided with food and the doctors were also provided with accommodation.
Imvelo Safari Lodges said that all patients had been given enough medication for six weeks to ensure proper healing and would return for scheduled reviews.
