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CATT News May 2022
REPORT ON EYE SCREENING CAMP AT MIJALE
We are very pleased to have received the report on the eye clinic from the Senior ophthalmic medical clinical officer at Arua regional referral hospital Ekanny James. He said:
Overtime, the diocesan clinic, Jehovah Rapha realized a service gap in the area of eyecare as a result of a good number of patients that turned up with visual challenges, but could not be effectively treated/managed.
The health department Episcopal Church of South Sudan, Liwolo Diocese, in conjunction with her partners organized and planned for an eye screening camp that was conducted from 14th to 17th June 2022 targeting the population living in Mijale refugee camp in Kerwa subcounty, Yumbe district.
A number of patients (234) with varying eye conditions were seen. Of those, a total of 205 were adults (males 120 , females 85) and 29 were children (males 16, females 13). The majority of patients with operable conditions had cataracts (66), and a few cases of trachoma(04) that will benefit from cataract and trachoma surgeries respectively. A handy number (06 males, 09 females) had glaucoma, who unfortunately presented in their late stages and may not benefit from surgical interventions. Quite a number of patients, 40 ( 29 males and 11 females) had reading challenges who would benefit from reading glasses, whereas about 03 would require distance glasses whose individual specific requirements have been captured. The other remaining number of patients (especially adults) had degenerative posterior segment eye diseases and some with cases of Allergy in both adults and children.
During the screening period , a number of positive aspects were noted, including but not limited to:
- Availability of diagnostic and curative drugs/equipment
- Good turn up of patients, good mobilization in relation to the projected figures.
- Spacious working environment.
- Team work exhibited and commitment during the screening period.
- Free interaction/information sharing between the service provider and the clients.
- Availability of personal protective gears in relation to covid-19 control.
However, a few areas of concern existed during the screening period:
- Lack of translators. The only few we had were actually volunteers who also had other commitments especially on the last day that made the exercise cumbersome.
Recommendations.
- Ensure that translators are identified in advance who can then fully participate in the screening exercise without inconveniences.
In summary, the screening exercise served/lived to its purpose of identifying patients with operable conditions especially cataracts and trachoma. This would therefore call for a need to organize a surgical camp to address the pending surgical conditions.
I would like to sincerely appreciate the efforts of the partners, especially financially, who ensured the implementation of this screening exercise.
Together we can improve the well-being of those with treatable sight challenges.
Yours in service,
EKANNY JAMES (Team Lead)
Senior ophthalmic medical clinical officer
Arua regional referral hospital
What Happens Next?
Next week the team are coming back to undertake the surgery for those who were found in need.
Olivia Jones visited Mijale on her recent trip and happened to be visiting the clinic on the day of eye screening. She had brought with her 50 pairs of second hand reading glasses she had carried out from UK. The surgeons have taken all the glasses and will test their strength and then give out to those who needed them.
We will keep you up to date with developments.
