Updated 4 January 2012
Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania in collaboration with Beta Charitable Trust of UK organized an eye and medical camp at Kilondoni district on Mafia Island from 14th to the 16th of October 2011.
Flightlink Airline supported the camp with a complimentary charter plane to ferry the team to the Island. The organizers are very grateful for the support offered for the Eye Camp. We wish to thank the Directors of the Flightlink, especially Capt. Munawer for his contributions to the Mission.
The camps were held at Kilondoni Primary School while simultaneously cataract surgeries were carried out at the regional Hospital about 3 kms away.
1900 patients were screened, 1250 pairs of glasses and 100 pairs of sunglasses were prescribed.
The following diseases were diagnosed during the camp:
|
Presbyopia |
750 |
Cataract |
92 |
Trichiasis |
9 |
|
Hyperopia |
220 |
Keratitis |
4 |
Corneal Scar |
7 |
|
Endophthalmitis |
1 |
Conjunctivitis |
85 |
Lens Opacity |
13 |
|
Retinitis Pigmentosa |
1 |
Glaucoma |
30 |
Retinopathy |
3 |
|
Immature Cataract |
70 |
Pterygium |
95 |
Nystagmus |
1 |
|
Macular Degenaration |
4 |
RAPD |
1 |
Myopia |
265 |
|
Optic Nueropathy |
25 |
Chalazion |
1 |
Keratoconus |
1 |
The medical camp was headed by Professor Karim Manji who collected statistics in the area, and the outcome was astounding. Most of the 570 people on whom the report was based were diagnosed with high blood pressure and diabetes. The medical team advised the patients accordingly on the risk factors to their health.
The team comprised of 8 opticians, 6 doctors and 15 volunteers who worked tirelessly to facilitate the camp. With their efforts a gentleman regained his sight after 15 years. Similarly a young lady walked freely after having been dispensed with spectacles.
Alhaj Anver Merali Alibhai, the Bilal Muslim Mission Eye Camp Coordinator thanked the MP of Mafia, Hon. Abdul Karim Esmail Hassan Shah for his hospitality and assistance through out the camp.
Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania is grateful to Alhaj Anwer Merali, the Doctors, Opticians, Nurses and all the volunteers who participated in the camp and pray to the Almighty to grant them good health and increase in their spirit of dedication to serve the under privileged members of the society. Special thanks to Beta Charitable Trust of UK for their support.
Anver Merali Alibhai
Eye Camp Coordinator
Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania
22nd OCTOBER 2011