The population of Douala and its environs turned out massively yesterday at the Laquintinie Hospital to benefit from a free diagnosis, consultation and operation exercise for cataract patients. The activity that runs from Monday 15 to Friday 20, 2012 is the seventh of its kind, sponsored by the Islamic Development Bank, in partnership with a Tunisian Non-Governmental Organisation known as Nadi Al Bassar and the Ministry of Public Health, Cameroon.

Addressing the press, the Islamic Development Bank representative and Head of Mission, Abedrrahmane El Medkouri explained that the overall objective is to carry out at least 400 surgical operations. As such, a medical team of six surgeons and two medical assistants have been placed at the disposal of the demanding population. In contextualising the event he added that the campaign involves Cameroon and seven other countries in the Sub Saharan Region to double their efforts in the fight against blindness, which counts among the major causes for poverty. So far, he revealed that over 7870 persons have benefitted from ophthalmological consultations, while a total of 2332 men, women and children have successfully recovered their sights thanks to surgical operations.

In a bid to ensure continuity, an ophthalmologist will train and reinforce the capacities of home based doctors, by acquainting them with new surgical techniques, he announced. Meanwhile, the Minister of Public Health, Andre Mama Fouda is expected in Douala today to supervise the ongoing operation.