Many Ghanaians going blind, 40,000 cataract surgeries required yearly – GHS

The Head of the Eye Care Unit of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr James Addy has said 40,000 cataract surgeries are required to be conducted every year in Ghana to help prevent disturbing cases of blindness among Ghanaians.

According to him, currently Ghana is able to do about 15,000 to 16,000 cataract surgeries far below the set target due to many challenges.

However, the GHS has entered into agreement with the Himalayan Cataract Project of the USA to fund the National Cataract Outreach Program( NACOP ) help reduce the deficit by performing 30,000 cataract surgeries to patients annually by 2020.

The project would be formerly launched on September 17 at the Koforidua Regional Hospital where absolutely free Cataract surgeries will be performed at the Regional Hospital for persons in the region.

Addressing the media in Koforidua to announce this, Dr Addy explained that the NACOP project was aimed at eliminating blindness.