HELPAGE FREE EYE CARE, A RELIEF FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
Elderly workers in the plantation sector are the most vulnerable people in our society who commonly complain that they gradually lose their eye sight. It was not mainly due to their old age, but due to their involvement in agricultural lands under the hot sun during the day.
A recent survey, conducted by Helpage Sri Lanka (HASL) reveals that majority of workers in the plantation sector are suffering from various eye diseases. The survey says that these workers need surgeries to have a clear vision. But, their financial situation has become the major obstacle for them to have surgeries from private hospitals.
A female worker says a cataract surgery cost around Rs. 40,000 in a private hospital and their daily earnings is not sufficient even to have a good meal with their children.
This pathetic situation was promptly understood by Helpage Sri Lanka, the country's only Eye Hospital that performs 25 free Cataract Surgeries every day. The Helpage officials came to rescue these workers and a group of eye specialists on the direction of Helpage Head office conducted eye screening camps at Dikoya in Nuwara Eliya , Trincomalee and Anuradhapura districts.
Over 500 persons attended the three camps and among them 279 were identified as cataract patients and the surgeries were carried out at Helpage Eye Hospital, Wellawatta (Opposite Savoy Cinema). The surgeries were carried out with the assistance of both Helpage and another social service institution, Berendina Development Ltd. In addition to Cataract Surgeries some elders who need no surgeries were provided with reading glasses and bifocal spectacles.
Quoting statistics Helpage Executive Director Samantha Liyanawaduge said a large number of cataract patients are reported from low income families and Helpage is open to extend free Cataract surgeries for such people.
He said Helpage has already planned to conduct similar free Eye camps even in other districts in the future.
He said Helpage expects more donations from prospective donors to fund towards this free cataract surgery programme to restore the vision and also to improve the living standards of less - privileged Senior Citizens in the country.
He also requested needy elders to have their Cataract Surgeries at Helpage Eye Hospital free of charge