Victory of eye specialists in providing free medical treatments

It was the day that went down in the medical history of the nation as we members of a medical team, under the arrangements of the Ministry of Health, left Yangon for Pathein, Ayeyawady Division, to give free treatments to local people with eye problems on 21 and 22 November 2005 in conjunction with the Seminar on Phacoemul-sifiction at Ngwe Hsaung Beach Resort in Pathein Township.

The team comprised Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint as the leader, officials from WHO, UN and UNICEF, Ophthalmologist Dr Fujita Yoshifumi and members from Japan, officials from the ministry, and eye specialists from states and divisions.

On the way to the destination, we dropped in Hsamalauk Village Hospital and the minister inspected the facility. We arrived in Ngwe Hsaung Beach Resort, about 30 miles from Pathein, at noon.

The opening of the Seminar on Phacoemulsification took place at the Sunny Paradise Hotel on the beach. Ophthalmologist Dr Fujita Yoshifumi and party played an important role in the campaign. Since February 1999, he has visited Myanmar 14 times to perform ophthalmic operations on patients. In every trip to Myanmar, he gives free treatments to 30 to 50 patients with the use of medicines and medical equipment brought from Japan.

They have exchanged knowledge with members of the Myanmar Ophthalmologists Association to enable Myanmar to catch up with international level. So far, the seminar of Japanese and Myanmar Ophthalmologists has been held three times. Six Myanmar ophthalmologists were invited to Japan for the study of phacoemul-sification.

Cataract is the major cause of losing eyesight. However, by receiving medical treatments in time, the patients suffering from cataract can regain their eyesight cent per cent. So, teams of eye specialists occasionally make field trips to rural areas to give free treatments in order to prevent avoidable blindness of people, thereby helping reduce the rate of cataract-based blindness, and realizing the objective of the Ministry of Health.

Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Thura Myint Aung delivered an address, and the minister extended greetings at the seminar. Dr Fujita Yoshifumi donated medicines and medical equipment worth US$ 150,000 to be used in the operations. The Japanese doctors discussed respective subjects on ophthalmology.

On 22 November, the entire Pathein Township was full of hustle and bustle with many people thronging to the hospital. Then, the whole compound of the hospital was full of people from all the 26 townships of the division relying on the medical team for receiving treatments. Moreover, the office of the Union Solidarity and Development Association on the other side of the road was crowded with the people waiting for their turns.

Among the 32 eye specialists, Professors Dr Than Aung, Dr Daw Myint Khaing, Dr Kan Nyunt and Dr Mya Aung made arrangements for the operations. Medical check-ups were given to 4,134 patients and major operations to 137 with cataract and minor operations to 37. Priority was given to the blind, then to one-eyed ones, and then to the needy.

The nurses who accompanied the team and local nurses made relentless contribution towards the drive.

The commander, the ministry and officials were all delighted, witnessing effective community health care services for the people.

Wearing a smile on his face, the minister said to us doctors, “Would you please give treatments to the patients as far as you can. The ministry has made arrangements to provide all necessary assistance for the operations. We’ll have to extend the campaign till tomorrow if necessary. I’d say it’s the very generosity for the blind to recover their eyesight”.

The campaign achieved a great success thanks to the enthusiastic cooperation of all responsible persons. I was convinced that only when the health sector is high, will all-round development of a nation be possible.

It was such a great number of patients that we had to extend the campaign until 23 November. Dr U Nyunt Maung of the Trachoma and Blindness Control Project (Head Office) in Yangon donated medical equipment for 100 eye patients. Dr Aung Myat Soe-Daw Thazin Myint Aung (Myitta Oo Clinic) also donated eye-drops, the Central Medical Depot, medicines, and the Fourteen Star Network Co, operation equipment.

The following day, Ophthalmologist Dr Than Than Htwe, Dr Ohmmar Myint and Dr Wah Wah Khin of the division cleaned the eyes of the patients, presented eye-drop tubes, and tested their eyesight. The patients felt deeply grateful for and pleased with their regaining of eyesight.

I thank Commander Maj-Gen Thura Myint Aung, Minister Dr Kyaw Myint, Dr Fujita Yoshifumi and party, the head of the Division Health Department and staff, the medical superintendent of Division General Hospital and staff, members of Division USDA, Women’s Affairs Organization, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Red Cross Society, U Wai Lwin and Dr Win Min Thit and staff of the Sunny Paradise Hotel. And I am firmly determined to constantly contribute towards public health care services.

Author : Dr Nilar Thein (Lin Yaung Thit)