Manhyia hospital appeals for ophthalmologist

Kumasi, Sept 12, GNA - The Manhyia District Hospital in Kumasi has appealed to the Ghana Health Service to post an ophthalmologist and an ophthalmic nurse to the facility to improve eye care services to the people. Dr Asante Mante, acting Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, said this has become because of the rising cases reported at its Eye Unit.

The Medical officer was speaking when he received some ophthalmic equipment donated to the facility.

These included adjustable trial frame, minor surgery set, ophthalmoscope and spare bulbs and chealte forceps.

The donation came from Standard Chartered Bank and Operation Eyesight Universal, a Canadian-based International Development Organization.

Dr Mante said the first half of this year, 4, 818 eye-related cases including cataract, glaucoma and other refractive errors had been reported to the hospital.

He said cataract cases were always referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for further treatment but other cases were managed by the Eye Unit.

Dr Mante asked the Health Ministry to work hard to equip the various Eye Units nationwide and build their capacity to effectively deal with eye diseases.

He also called for the training of more ophthalmic professionals for health facilities.

Dr Boateng Wiafe, Africa Director of the Canadian Organization, said it seek to assist in eliminating avoidable blindness through the development and support for self-sustaining blindness prevention and sight restoring programmes.