A TOTAL of 17 voluntary doctors have provided free eye surgery to cataract patients in Kenya during a charity tour to East Africa organized by the China Branch of Lions Clubs International between March 18 and 25.
The volunteers, including seven eye doctors from Shenzhen No. 2 People s Hospital and another voluntary team from Xi an, Shaanxi Province, conducted cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation for about 60 patients in the western area of the East African country, yesterday s Shenzhen Economic Daily reported.
The surgery was free and the medical equipment was donated to local hospitals, the Shenzhen Branch of the Lions Clubs International said.
Meanwhile, the team also gave free trainings to local doctors, teaching them how to conduct the surgery. They also agreed to build a cooperative relationship for future medical exchange and communication.
The China Branch of Lions Clubs International sent more than 50 volunteers and more than 30 doctors to serve in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, the African countries which have high rates of cataracts. This was the first time the Lions Club in China had joined the U.N. to develop medical services and assess health challenges, food security and the environment in Africa.
Volunteers with the Lions Club in China were mostly from Shenzhen, Dalian, Beijing, Shenyang cities as well as Shaanxi and Zhejiang provinces, the club said.
The Chinese voluntary medical team had performed 417 surgical procedures by March 23. Total expenses were about US$300,000, including the cost of equipment and surgery, which was donated by the club and the China Disabled People s Performing Arts Troupe.
(Wang Yuanyuan)