World Sight Day
The Africa Mercy, the world’s largest charity hospital ship, is now performing up to 40 free cataract surgeries every day, using a procedure that takes just five minutes to restore sight to some of the world’s poorest people.
The Africa Mercy is thought to be one of only three locations around the world using manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) on a daily basis. The procedure enables small wounds to heal faster than a conventional incision meaning patients do not need to wear spectacles after surgery.
Richard Newsom, an ophthalmic surgeon from Southampton, who has volunteered onboard the Africa Mercy, said: “Cataracts can be cured by a simple, cost effective operation yet millions of people around the world will suffer their whole lives without the use of their sight as they have no access to basic healthcare. MSICS has transformed our ability to treat large numbers of patients and is particularly conducive to third world countries as many patients cannot afford spectacles.
“Onboard the Africa Mercy we can make an enormous difference to hundreds of peoples lives by restoring their sight in five minutes, changing their lives forever. It is the most humbling and rewarding feeling I have ever felt seeing a young child see their mother’s face for the first time and is the reason why I keep returning to the Africa Mercy.”
One such child is four-year-old Celine who was born with congenital cataracts in both eyes. Her father, a tailor, wanted the best for her. However, he could not afford the £110 for surgery for each eye. Unable to begin school because she could not see, Celine faced an uncertain future.
A free five-minute cataract operation onboard the Mercy Ship has restored hope for Celine and more than 3000 others. They are receiving cataract surgery onboard the Mercy Ship during the hospital ship’s 10-month stay in the port of Cotonou from February through December of this year.
Judy Polkinhorn, Executive Director of Mercy Ships UK said: “It is remarkable that we have the ability to almost instantly change someone’s future by giving them a free and simple operation. Today at Mercy Ships we are celebrating World Sight Day and would like to thank all the vital volunteers onboard the Africa Mercy that make it possible to give the operations so many needy people need.”