A NOTE ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS IN THESE REPORTS
All of the patients pictured in these reports are very poor. Poorer than most Europeans could imagine. But they don’t look poor. No tatty clothes, no obvious signes of undernourishment. But if you put yourself in their place you should be able to understand that they have their pride………… when they attend for an operation, they dress in their best clothes.
Abbreviations commonly used in these reports
Pre-Op. VA. Pre-operative Visual Acuity
Post-op. VA Post-operative Visual Acuity
RE Right Eye LE Left Eye
HM Can perceive Hand Movement only
PL Perceives Light and dark only
CF Only able to Count Fingers
1/60 Very poor sight Only able to see things clearly at one metre that should be visible at 60 metres.
6/36 Poor sight Only able to see things clearly at six metres that should be visible at 36 metres
6/6 Very good sight
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Camp 26: Bwiam
In October 2023, we received the following email from Alasana Touray:
We, the NEHP at SZRECC, commemorated World Sight Day on the 12/10/23 at Bwiam Hospital.
We had march past with the schoolchildren, the communities of Fonis, the security forces and the staff of the hospital.
We conducted a day long mass screening/survey. We were able to book about 72 operable cataract patients; all of them cataract blind.
We treated over 400 patients with different eye conditions including the need for glasses and lots of glasses were issued, all for free.
The cost for the activities, drugs, feeding, transportation and glasses were all sponsored by our partner One-Sight. They have exhausted their budget line for the rest of the year and cannot do more.
At the time CAC had very few funds but, as has happened previously, in a few weeks we were flush with funds and able to cover the cost of the cataract camp that took place in December 2023 at Bwiam General Hospital.
This is the report prepared by Abdoulie Touray.
CAMP 25: BRIKAMA
This report covers the cataract camp held at Brikama District Hospital Eye Unit between 16th December 2023 and 18th January 2024.
Candidates for cataract operations were identified during the community eye health screening that took place in September and October within the catchment area of the hospital.
This area is semi-rural and some of the five settlements visited have large populations. Over 420 people were examined and 290 patients were identified, 67 of whom were operated upon for cataracts.
The camp was managed by Mr Ousman Ceesay, the only Senior Ophthalmic Medical Assistant at Brikama. The link below is to his report.
Our sincere thanks to Sharing Wonders whose generous donation funded this camp.
A party from Sharing Wonders, including Mrs Bader Ali - Founder and Trustee, Mr. Aman Ali - Trustee, Operations Director, attended the camp on Sunday 17th December 2023.
CAMP 24: tHE SZRECC IN KANIFING
This report comprises a list of the patients treated at the SZRECC between October and December 2023.
They are selected on the basis of clinical need and severe poverty.
Many of these patients live in dire poverty in the Serrekunda area. Some, like Fatoumatta, have travelled over 200 miles (the distance from London to Manchester) and arrive at the hospital penniless.
Some are complicated cases.
These are difficult cases to identify; the fact that this activity is a success is due entirely on the judgement and integrity of the staff at the SZRECC. They are able to select the poorest of the poor.
The NEHP hold a small fund for such cases which is topped up periodically by CAC. Usually after 20 patients have received treatment. In 2023, a total of sixty operations were funded by CAC in this way.
This is the clinical report written by Alasana Touray, Principal Ophthalmic Medical Assistant, and illustrates his and his colleagues dedication to providing good eye care to the people of The Gambia.
Eye health screening: WESTERN REGION - bRIKAMA
This report covers the eye health screening that took place in September and October 2023 in the catchment area of Brikama District Hospital.
Until recently, CAC has, in the main, confined its activities to rural areas with well defined populations.
This area is semi-rural and some of the 5 settlements visited have large populations. Over 420 people were examined and 290 patients were identified. A cataract camp will follow.
CAMP 23: tHE SZRECC IN KANIFING
This report comprises a list of the patients treated at the SZRECC between August and October 2023.
They are selected on the basis of clinical need and severe poverty.
Many of these patients live in dire poverty in the Serrekunda area. Some are complicated cases.
These are difficult cases to identify; the fact that this activity is a sucess is due entirely on the judgement and integrity of the staff at the SZRECC. They are able to select the poorest of the poor.
The NEHP hold a small fund for such cases which is topped up periodically by CAC. Usually after 20 patients have received treatment.
This is the clinical report written by Alasana Touray, Principal Ophthalmic Assitant, and illustrates his and his colleagues dedication to providing good eye care to the people of The Gambia.
CAMP 22: Niamina Katamina
This report covers the cataract camp held at Niamina Katamina in the Central River Region on 22nd July 2023.
Candidates for cataract operations were identified during the two Community Eye Health Screenings in the Central River Region that took place in May.
It was carried out by a surgical team based at the Bansang General Hospital.
I make no apologies for restating the obvious……
All of these patients would be registered blind in the UK.
They are blind because they cannot afford the comparitively small cost of the operation and ancilliary costs such as transport. No means test is required to ascertain that they are extremely poor. Without the donations from our supporters, these people, some still in their early fifties, would remain blind for the rest of their lives.
CAMP 21: ESSAU DISTRICT HOSPITAL
This report covers a cataract camp held at the Essau District Hospital between18th July 2023 and 23rd August 2023.
It was originally planned to take place over only two weeks but July and August are the only months in which it rains in The Gambia. It is the only opportunity to grow crops and the busiest time of year for farmers.
It is also the worst time to travel on the unmade country roads.
CAMP 20: tHE SZRECC IN KANIFING
This report comprises a list of the patients treated at the SZRECC between April and July 2023.
They are selected on the basis of clinical need and severe poverty.
Many of these patients live in dire poverty in the Serrekunda area. Some are complicated cases.
These are difficult cases to identify; the fact that this activity is a sucess is due entirely on the judgement and integrity of the staff at the SZRECC. They are able to select the poorest of the poor.
The NEHP hold a small fund for such cases which is topped up periodically by CAC. Usually after 20 patients have received treatment.
A clinical report is generated at the same time.
Eye health screening: CENTRAL RIVER REGION - DANKUNKU
This report covers the eye health screening that took place in May 2023 in and around Dankunku in the Central River Region. This eye health screening was funded by Cataracts Are Curable but carried out by Gui-Mam, a local, Gambian charity. Its volunteers are all eye health care professionals who donate their time and money to provide eye health care to the poor of The Gambia.
On 8th October 2023, Abdouie Ngett of Gui-Mam wrote the following:
“Good afternoon, sir.
We started our community outreach screening on Saturday 7th October 2023.
Gui-Mam volunteers were at Latrikunda German. A total of 270 people were seen with various eye conditions.
The association did not buy any drugs: we used the left-over drugs from the screening at Dankunku which was financed by Cataracts Are Curable.
We thank you for supporting our association with funding.”
Eye health screening: CENTRAL RIVER REGION - sAMBANG
This report covers the eye health screening that took place in May 2023 in Sambang and surrounding settlements. In addition to the survey funded by Cataracts Are Curable, One Sight funded the prescription and dispensing of spectacles.
Eye health screening: North Bank Region
This report covers the eye health screening that took place in April 2023. Settlements in Lower Niumi, Upper Niumi and Jokadou were visited and 391 patients were identified.
CAMP 19: SOMA DISTRICT HOSPITAL
This report covers the cataract camp that took place in February 2023 at Soma District Hospital. Candidates for cataract operations had been identified during Community Eye Health Screening in the Lower River Region in December and January.
Altogether 82 patients were operated upon.
Funding for this camp was available because of the generous donation that CAC received from the Kitchen Table Charities Trust (KTCT). Hence their initials on the banner.
Violet and I were present at this camp. We have been collecting money for cataract camps for nine years in all, but this was the first time that we were able to witness the whole procedure, from the pre-op assessment to the removal of the eye patches. It was an emotional experience for us.
The report was written by the SOMA, Bubucarr Jarju, but, as we were there, we have taken the liberty of adding a few photographs.
Eye health screening: lower river region december 2022
This report covers the eye health screening that took place between December 2022 and January 2023 in preparation for the eye camp at the Soma District Hospital. All in all, 10 settlements were visited and over 3,000 people were examined.
CAMP 18: tHE SZRECC IN KANIFING
This report comprises a list of the patients treated at the SZRECC in November and December 2022.
These patients come to the main eye hospital, the SZRECC, in Kanifing. They are selected on the basis of clinical need and severe poverty. Some are complicated cases.
The NEHP hold a small fund for such cases which is topped up periodically by CAC. Usually after 20 patients have received treatment. CAC will increase the amounts paid into this fund as propsed in this report.
A clinical report is generated at the same time.
Many of these patients live in dire poverty in the Serrekunda area. Some of their stories are related in the blog and are heart rending.
These are difficult cases to identify; the fact that this activity is a sucess is due entirely on the judgement and integrity of the staff at the SZRECC.
CAMP 17: bWIAM GENERAL HOSPITAL NOVEMBER 2022
This report covers the cataract camp that took place in November 2022 at Bwiam General Hospital. Candidates for cataract operations had been identified during Community Eye Health Screening in October by the staff of the hospital and GUI-MAM, a charity whose members are Gambian opthalmic health care workers.
Altogether 75 patients were operated upon.
Members of the Castellan African Trust (CAT) attended the camp. CAT donated the funds for the camp.
EYE HEALTH SCREENING: The Foni October 2022
This report covers the eye health screening that took place in October 2022 in preparation for the eye camp at the Bwiam General Hospital. All in all, 15 settlements were visited.
CAMP 16: bASSE GENERAL HOSPITAL JULY-AUGUST 2022
This report covers cataract a camp held at Basse General Hospital in July and August of 2022. Candidates for cataract operations had been identified during the Community Eye Health Screening in April and May.
Altogether 80 patients were operated upon.
The surgical team did was not required to travel different locations but the patients encountered many problems due to the severe weather. The report tells of one patient whose house was destroyed in a storm.
CAMP 15: bRIKAMA ba health centre JULY-AUGUST 2022
This report covers a cataract camp held at Brikama Ba over three days in July and August of 2022. Patients were identified during the Eye Health Screening of that area in April and May.
Altogether 75 patients were operated upon.
Many logistical difficulties were encountered. Rainfall in The Gambia was much heavier than usual this year and caused widespread flooding.
CAMP 14: tHE SZRECC IN KANIFING
This report comprises a list of the patients treated at the SZRECC between June and November of 2022.
These patients come to the main eye hospital, the SZRECC, in Kanifing. They are selected on the basis of clinical need and severe poverty. Some are complicated cases.
The NEHP hold a small fund for such cases which is topped up periodically by CAC. Usually after 20 patients have received treatment.
A clinical report is generated at the same time.
Many of these patients live in dire poverty in the Serrekunda area. Some of their stories are related in the blog and are heart rending.
These are difficult cases to identify; the fact that this activity is a sucess is due entirely on the judgement and integrity of the staff at the SZRECC.
EYE HEALTH SCREENING: UPPER RIVER REGION (uRR) MAY - JUNE 2022
This report concerns the eye health screening that took place in May and June of 2022 in preparation for eye camps at the hospital in Basse and in two villages.
The Upper River Region is the most remote of the health regions. Villagers are very poor and transport is difficult.
EYE HEALTH SCREENING: CENTRAL RIVER REGION (CRR) APRIL - MAY 2022
This report concerns the eye health screening that took place in April and May of 2022 in preparation for an eye camp at Brikama Ba later in the year.
The Central River Region is very large and extends both north and south of the River Gambia.
CAMP 13: tHE SZRECC IN KANIFING
This is the report on a series of 20 operations carried out at the SZRECC between February and June 2022.
These patients come to the main eye hospital, the SZRECC, in Kanifing. They are selected on the basis of clinical need and severe poverty. Some are complicated cases.
CAMP 12: bRIKAMA ba health centre
This is the formal report for the cataract camp conducted at the Health Centre in Brikama Ba in January 2022 at which cataract operations were carried out on 50 patients.
Again, patients were selected for surgery during the eye health survey carried out in the CRR in September - October 2021.
CAMP 11: BANSANG HOSPITAL
This is the formal report for the cataract camp conducted at Bansang Hispital between November 2021 and January 2022 at which 75 people were operated upon.
Patients were selected for surgery during the eye health survey carried out in the CRR in September - October 2021.
Glasses for children: THE SZRECC IN KANIFING
In December 2021, CAC paid for glasses for five young school children whose families could not afford them. Without glasses they cannot read what is on the blackboard and their education suffers badly.
These children suffer from severe myopia (short sightedness) due to a number of factors. As a result the glasses are expensive even by British standards. These glasses are of benefit for a relatively short period. The children grow and their eyes change. Unfortunately the charity has insufficient resources to make a long term commitment of this kind.
Again, even the cost of travelling from the North Bank to Kanifing is beyond these families.
This short report concerns one of the five children given glasses.
CAMP TEN: THE SZRECC IN KANIFING
This report covers ten more cataract operations carried out at the Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Care Centre (SZRECC) in Kanifing.
Initially there were misgivings as to whether the patients were truely impoverished. These were unfounded. Some patients have been on waiting lists for one or two years and cannot even afford the fare to cross the river Gambia to get to the hospital.
CAMP NINE: the SZRECC in kanifing OCTOBER 2021
Until recently, our focus has been on the funding of cataract operations for the Gambian rural poor. We felt that running a “cataract camp” in an urban environment was impractical. A camp in a village addresses the needs of a well defined and relatively small population. Identifying those whose families could not afford to pay for the operation was relatively straightforward (even if the selection was not perfect). If free operations were adverised in a town like Serekunda, the eye hospital would be instantly overwhelmed.
However, we have decided to fund operations for a very limited number of patients at the SZRECC. We have learnt that cataract surgeons there regularly see patients who are blind but cannot afford the operations. The surgeons keep a list of such people and, when some money becomes available, they are given a free operation. Some patients wait as long as two years. There is no advertising. This is carried out without any fanfare. It is all very low key.
The first “camp” was an experiment which has proved sucessful. More are planned. This report concerns the first batch of ten such patients.
Please read the blog with more background here.
eye health SCREENING: CENTRAL RIVER REGION (crr) SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021
This report concerns the eye health screening that took place before the eye camps at Bansang Hospital and at Brikama Ba at the end of 2021.
The Central River Region is very large and extends both north and south of the River Gambia.
EYE HEALTH SCREEING: NORTH BANK EAST MARCH - APRIL 2021
CAMPs six, seven and eight: Kaur, Kerewan and farafeni May - August 2021
Here is the report from our ‘Super Camp’ which took place in three locations between May and August 2021. During these camps we managed to complete a huge 182 operations.
We are lucky enough to have a number of pictures from this camp, and a short before-and-after video from the previous camp in Katamina - all of which are available to view on our blog here.
Maintenance Report: APRIL 2021
The ophthalmic equipment technician, Muchtarr Fofana toured all the secondary eye units, outposts and hospitals throughout the country to ascertain the state of equipment,
This was the first time in four years hat he had been able to carry out a comprehensive survey of all the ophthalmic equipment possessed by the NEHP.
His report includes substantial recommendations as to how defects may be reported and the training of operators to carry out simple maintenance.
It is hoped that this report will help to persuade the Gambian Minister of Health to implement the recommendations.
CAMP Five: Katamina, 12-14 January 2021
Our fifth camp was held at the Katamina Dispensary between 12 and 14th January 2021.
This camp was preceded by a screening the Niamina Sambang area in December. This was suggested by Alansana Touray who told us about his village which is called Sambang. It is 125 miles from the conurbations where tourists may be found. He said that there were about 36 villages local to Sambang who could take part. He wrote that every time he went home to visit his village “many people come to me with eye complaints, unfortunately I cannot help them….”
After the screening, the camp went ahead and was very successful, with 52 operations completed.
Please click on the button below to download and read the report.
You can also see the list of patients treated here
EYE HEALTH SCREENING: Niamina Sambang 18 - 20 december 2020
This report concerns the eye health screening that took place before Cataract Camp 5 at Katamina.
In the past, this form of survey would have been carried out by a community ophthalmic nurse. However, now there are very few of these. In this area, no screening had taken place for over two years.
When this happens the local population lose faith in the health service and will resort to "traditional medicine" in desperation.............. often with catastrophic results.
CAMP FOUR: ESSAU, 11 August - 30 september 2020
Our fourth camp was held at the Essau District Hospital between 11th August and 30th September 2020.
This hospital serves the North Bank West Region that comprises Lower Nuimi, Upper Nuimi and Jokadou.
A total of 85 patients with cataracts were screened of which 22 were referred to the tertiary eye hospital in Kanifing as they also had glaucoma.
In order to prevent the spread of Covid 19, the 50 cataract operations were carried out in small batches over the extended period between 11th August and 30th September.
Our sincere thanks to Zabir Ali, Managing Director at Wessex Optical - Boots Opticians Franchise Partner whose extremely generous donation funded this camp.
Please click on the button below to download and read the report in full. To read the blog, please click here
CAMP tHREE: KAUR, 3-5 FEBRUARY 2020
Our third camp was held in Kaur on 3-5 February 2020.
The camp was conducted at Kaur Health Centre in Kaur Village, Lower Saloum District, Central River Region. The total number of patients screened was 157 people, out of which 62 had cataracts but only 35 were fit for surgery. The remaining 27 cases had other conditions or their cataracts were not mature enough for surgery. A further 15 cataract operations were carried out at the Farafenni General Hospital making a total of 50 operations in all. Please click on the button below to download and read the report in full.
To read a first hand account of the camp, please click here
CAMP two: Basse, 11-16 NOVEMBER 2020
Our second camp was held in Basse on the 11-16 November 2020.
Cataracts Are Curable funded another 50 operations which were carried out at Basse District Hospital in the Upper River Region. Please click on the button below to download and read the report in full.
To read the blog click here.
CAMP ONE: Basse, 24-25 AUGUST 2019
Our first camp was held in Basse on the 24-25th August 2019.
Cataracts Are Curable funded operations for 50 patients which were carried out at Basse District Hospital in the Upper River Region.
For the formal clinical report click on the button below.