Volunteer ophthalmologists are providing free treatment and examinations to residents in Kandal province with the support of Minster of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth, while eye doctors from the National Program for Eye Health (NPEH) at the Ministry of Health are offering similar services in Mondulkiri.
The volunteer doctors visited Prek Krabao Junior High School in Kandal on January 13 where they examined, treated and measured over 2,000 residents for eyeglasses, all free of charge.
The beneficiaries hailed from six communes: Arey Ksat, Svay Chrum, Prek Takov, Prek Luong, Prek Ampil and Koh Oknha Tei.
Kandal provincial governor Kong Sophorn said on January 15 that the volunteers’ mission extended beyond the town, encompassing plans to examine and treat residents in 13 other towns and districts across the province.
“The examinations and treatments were carried out in a spirit of humanitarianism, driven by a love for our fellow Khmer people and a vision of a united future, devoid of partisanship, religion or political affiliations. Our goal was to help alleviate poverty among the residents,” he stated.
Bun Sour, director of the Mondulkiri provincial health department, reported on January 14 that ophthalmologists from the provincial referral hospital and the medical team of NPEH provided free examinations, treatments and surgeries from January 14-16.
He noted that residents of the province and those from other regions sought advice from eye care specialists at the hospital for various issues.
He said that surgeries had been performed on over 30 residents so far and nearly 100 others had consulted the specialists.
“During the three days of free surgeries, our doctors operated solely at the referral hospital without plans to visit local areas. However, [they] do offer free eye checks at health centres across the province,” he added.
Sour noted that from 2024, residents of the province with eye diseases would not have to travel far for treatment, as the health ministry had officially opened an eye care facility at the provincial referral hospital.
He said the facility aims to treat all residents with eyesight problems, improving their vision and preventing further deterioration.
