Meeting the miracle workers

Makeni Regional Hospital only began providing cataract surgeries in September 2017. Before then, eye health services were limited, leaving serious conditions untreated. We saw the passion and energy of the eye care team as soon as we arrived. Abubakar, the optometrist technician, greeted us with a big smile and quickly introduced us to the rest of the team. A typically busy day was just beginning and they were eager to get started.

The eye health unit is limited to two small screening rooms and a ward for overnight patients. Lots of people were already squeezed up on long benches in the corridors, waiting their turn. There was a constant stream of movement as they were called in and out to receive eye tests, glasses and treatment. It made us appreciate the huge scale of eye-related issues in Makeni, and how much people need these services.

As well as working flat out at the hospital, the eye care team also runs outreach clinics in local communities, and sometimes screens people in their homes. We accompanied Abubakar on one of his home visits, and met 27-year-old Haja.

Haja has two daughters and a baby on the way. She explained that she’s lost most of the sight in one eye because of a cataract, and has had to give up her job in the market. We watched as Abubakar carefully examined Haja’s eyes, and we could see her relief when he said she could have surgery that very same week.