The RementerĂa Foundation, a non-profit organization that seeks to make eye health accessible to everyone, has just launched the first of two cooperative expeditions scheduled for 2017 at the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Thies, in collaboration with Juan Ciudad NGO.
Since March 25th, eight ophthalmology professionals have been working in the Senegalese town of Thies, where they will perform approximately 80 eye surgeries and more than 200 check-ups on the local population over the course of a week. Among other treatments, cataract surgeries will be performed on people who, in addition to being underprivileged, live in areas where there is no qualified personnel to perform these procedures or the necessary equipment. More than 165,000 Senegalese suffer from blindness., of which 50% is due to cataracts, according to ophthalmologists in the African country.
On this occasion, the expedition's medical team is comprised of two ophthalmologists, two optometrists, an assistant, a nurse, and a logistics manager with extensive field experience. They have previously traveled to other African countries such as Algeria, Tanzania, and Senegal. Another team from the RementerĂa Foundation will return to the San Juan de Dios Hospital, directed by Brother Brice Luc Ouendo, in November of this year to carry out its second charity campaign in ophthalmology and eye disease prevention.
According to the Dr. Montserrat GarcĂa, head of the expedition, "In total, more than 200 kilos of medical equipment have been transported from Spain to Dakar, thanks to the altruistic contributions of companies such as Alcon, Baush & Lomb, Medical Mix, Zeiss, Thea, and Laboratorios Floren, among others. A selfless and tremendously valuable contribution to making the work of the RementerĂa Foundation possible."
He also wanted to point out that "continuous exposure to sunlight without the necessary protection increases the risk of cataracts in young people, and this condition is responsible for more than half of all cases of blindness worldwide," a condition that affects nearly three out of four people over the age of 75, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Prevention of eye diseases
In addition to performing the necessary checkups and surgeries, the RementerĂa Foundation seeks to raise awareness among the public about basic eye care, including the daily use of sunglasses to protect against the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. This trip is one of many organized by the RementerĂa Foundation, involving the entire staff of the leading ophthalmology institution in Madrid, ClĂnica RementerĂa.
About the RementerĂa Foundation: The RementerĂa Foundation is a non-profit organization that seeks to make eye health accessible to everyone. In addition to promoting, protecting, disseminating, and fostering all types of medical studies, procedures, and research related to the world of ophthalmology, the RementerĂa Foundation participates in various ophthalmological projects aimed at people and groups with limited or no resources, both within and outside our borders.
Thus, the Foundation carries out periodic expeditions to countries such as Algeria, Senegal, and Angola to collaborate with local hospitals and perform eye surgeries as well as check-ups on the local population.
Text: Communication RementerĂa Foundation and Juan Ciudad NGO
Photos: RementerĂa Foundation
