World Sight Day was set aside by International Agency for Prevention of blindness(IAPB) and VISION2020 to celebrate the VISION2020 “Right to Sight” initiative .The day is commemorated on the second Thursday of October .
This year BICO organised a series of events to celebrate this day in Blantyre ,Malawi .Firstly we did put radio adverts informing people about what this day was for ; and then we announced that for two consecutive weeks we would be picking and operating for free on all blind patients (adults & children) whose sight could be restored .We scheduled operations in Blantyre from 6th-10october at the Lions sight fisrt Eye Hospital and in Thyolo from 13-17th October at Thyolo District hospital. We printed t-shirts and distribute t-shirts, and made banners which were displayed in front of the hospital .The period was so busy that in total we had over 100 patients operated and have their Sight restored.Thanks to all staff who participated in this exercise .You can see from the pictures - the banners and the faces of happy patients who had come to the hospital blind and were able to see.You can also see me in front row wearing a white lab coat and displaying the banner; a rare glimpse and lucky you!
The national celebrations took place on 18th October at Thyolo community ground and the guest of honour was the minister.
Blantyre institute for community Ophthalmology (BICO) is proud to have been associated with this event and would like to thank our partner and sponsor Sight Savers International Malawi office .
We would like to do more of these operations in future to help the poor Malawians; That’s what community Ophthalmology is all about and that is my role as a Community Ophthalmologist .
Do you want to help or be involved? Tell us how
Or do you want me to quit and join politics?
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