The public hospital Krim Belkacem in Draâ El Mizan, Algeria, has launched a two-day cataract screening operation in collaboration with the Ghardaïa-based humanitarian association "Tagemi" and local authorities. The initiative, the first of its kind in the Tizi Ouzou province, aims to provide free diagnosis and potential surgery for underprivileged patients. Five ophthalmologists from Ghardaïa, equipped with necessary medical gear, are conducting the screenings.
The hospital's director, Lounès Bounous, expressed gratitude to the Ghardaïa team for their support, highlighting the significance of this event for the local community. He noted that the hospital, with a capacity of 240 beds, lacks necessary resources to cope with the daily influx of patients. Bounous revealed that the hospital's ophthalmologist had recently resigned, leaving the facility without this crucial specialty.
Hundreds of patients flocked to the hospital, eager to participate in the screening. By 8 am, nearly 500 people had already registered, with many more expected to follow. The hospital staff has been mobilized to ensure the operation's success, and the ophthalmology department has been put at the disposal of the visiting specialists.
Patients expressed their hopes and concerns about the screening process. One patient from Aomar, Bouira province, anxiously waited for his turn, while a paramedical agent reassured him that all registered patients would be seen. The agent explained that the ophthalmologists would write a letter of orientation for patients eligible for cataract surgery.
According to a hospital source, dozens of patients have been waiting for cataract surgery, but the hospital lacks the necessary human and material resources to accommodate them all. The current operation, organized with the help of the "Tagemi" association, may offer these patients a chance to receive surgery in a timely manner.
Local associations and village committees have been actively involved in supporting the hospital. Recently, a group of representatives met with the hospital's director, who acknowledged the facility's shortcomings and promised to address them through his action plan. A fundraising initiative is also underway to acquire a much-needed device for the ophthalmology department.
The screening operation is expected to conclude with a list of patients selected for cataract surgery. The hospital will establish a surgical program, and operations will take place in the central operating block. This initiative has brought hope to many patients in need, and its success may pave the way for future collaborations between local authorities and associations.
Key points
- Hundreds of patients benefit from free cataract screening in Tizi Ouzou province
- Local hospital lacks necessary resources, including a vacant ophthalmologist position
- Fundraising efforts underway to support hospital's ophthalmology department
