Ref: BMM 24-1432 Date: 07/09/2011
GIFT OF SIGHT
FREE EYE CAMP IN MTWARA
On Saturday, 7th July, 2011, team comprising of opticians and volunteers under the Bilal Mission of Tanzania all geared for a noble mission, boarded the TRH bus at 7.00 AM bracing for yet another challenging, bumpy, sunny and dusty journey of 565 kms to Mtwara in Southern Region of Tanzania. The mission was to offer free eye camp services to the residents of Mtwara. The team arrived safely at 6.30 p.m. in Mtwara.
The Speaker of Zanzibar Hon. Kificho blessed the eye camp in the opening cermony motivating all workers and patients in the camp.
A total of 3,620 people were screened where 2,050 pairs of spectacles; 100 pairs of sunglasses; 1,040 units of medicine were prescribed.
Also 40 patients received Vitamin A; 280 patients received Vitamin B and 20 patients received Multivitamins.
The following eye conditions were diagnosed:
There is still a great need for such eye camps. Doctors, Optometrists and Volunteers were overwhelmed with the number of cases. Moreover, due to lack of electricity in the school, had to use headlights to run the camp till late evenings.
Simultaneously 108 cataract surgeries were carried out by Dr. Hassan, at Ligula Hospital where fortunately there was continuous electricity. The cost of surgeries was sponsored by Beta Charitable Trust of U.K. for all the surgeries.
Delighted to mention that the eldest lady operated on successfully was a 90 years old lady who was so astounded and happy to be able to see as she had lost hope completely to be able to see again.
Hon. Hasnain Murji, the MP of Mtwara region provided us with a generator for the refractometer, accommodation facilities for volunteers and paid for hospital food and accommodation for patients and transport for patients from villages. We thank him for his kind cooperation along with his family members. Br. Mushtaq Fazal an ardent supporter of the eye camps also accommodated the doctor and a volunteer.
We take this opportunity to thank the DMO, staff and nurses of Ligula Hospital and ancillary staff for facilitating the above mentioned activities at the hospital.
We thank the Headmistress and staff members of the Ligula Primary School for extending their cooperation and supporting us throughout the eye camp.
The pupils of the schools were presented with stationery. The patients were given cereal throughout the days of the camp.
We wish to sincerely thank and appreciate Beta Charitable Trust of U.K. for sponsoring all the surgeries carried out. The Trust has always been in the forefront supporting all our camps, and the initiatives undertaken the Eye Camp Coordinator and the team under the Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania.
We thank Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi of TRH for providing a bus and a truck for our trip to Mtwara and return. Other vehicles were provided by Alhaj Anver Alibhai and Alhaj Mushtaq Fazal.
Lastly we thank all the Doctors, Opticians, and Volunteers who worked tirelessly without complaining for long hours, it was indeed a pleasure and good team-spirit.
Please visit our website for information/reports of our activities: www.bilaltz.org
Report presented by:
ANVER ALIBHAI
EYE CAMP COORDINATOR
BILAL MUSLIM MISSION OF TANZANIA
5th August 2011