The light that had been lost for years has returned after 54 people underwent cataract surgery at a camp organized in Qholasothar Rural Municipality-5, Singdi.
What you should know
For 93-year-old Keshbir Gurung, the morning sun was no longer just a guess. On Tuesday morning, he couldn't believe it when he saw the sun shining over the distant Gilung Hills.
For Keshbir, who had been living in a dark world for years, that moment was like a new life. Keshbir of Qholasothar Rural Municipality-5, Singdi, had lost his vision in his left eye for a long time. He had to use a cane to go to the toilet.
He returned home scared on the first day of the cataract surgery camp organized in the village, but on the second day he came with his son-in-law and underwent the surgery. Gurung, who is also a former Indian soldier, said, “After the surgery, the whole world seemed to be in a blur. There was light everywhere.”
The camp organized in Singdi has restored the vision of many senior citizens. 82-year-old Bakhte Kami of Qholasothar Rural Municipality-8, Ghamrang, arrived at the camp alone. He had lost his vision in his left eye a year ago and could see very little in his right eye. ‘My son and daughter-in-law are separated, and I don’t have any money,’ he said after the surgery, ‘It was difficult to walk before. Now I can see the road clearly. I can even walk.’
Sanumaya Gurung, an 82-year-old single woman from the neighboring village of Pasgaun, has started to recognize letters clearly after surgery on her right eye. ‘I went to Pokhara three years ago, but my turn never came,’ she said, ‘Now the doctor at the same hospital treated me in the village in a single day. Now I can even read letters.’
Gopiman Gurung, 88, from Pasgaun, and Sumindra Ghale, 73, from Maling, Kholasothar-2, among others, have also started seeing with their eyes after cataract surgery. Ek Bahadur Gurung, 69, from Posi, Madi Rural Municipality-8, Kaski, had reached the camp after walking for 2 and a half hours. ‘When I went to Pokhara for treatment, it used to cost 30-40 thousand,’ he said, ‘I am a person who plows and eats. Here, it is free.’
In the camp held on Sunday and Monday in Singdi, 54 people including Budhiras Gharti, 76, of Gilung, Khwalasothar-9, Kuman Singh Gurung, 79, and Kul Prasad Gurung, 74, of Pasgaun, Kusmi Gurung, 69, and Nansubba Gurung, 61, of Charagaun, Ward 7, Patenkasi Gurung, 70, of Singdi, Ward 5, Karajung Gurung, and Rudari Gurung, of Ward 8, Maping, underwent cataract surgery.
The camp was organized by Khwalasothar Rural Municipality, managed by Mutu Foundation Nepal and Manoj Association France, with technical support from Himalaya Eye Hospital Pokhara and Eyecare Foundation. Trilok Chandra Gurung, the head of the rural municipality health branch, informed that screening was conducted in 5 wards of Midimwari before the camp.
672 people, including 344 women and 328 men, have taken eye examination services in the camp. Dhan Bahadur Gurung, the chairman of the Mutu Foundation, said that 300 of them were distributed glasses for near vision.
According to Dr. Narayani Bhattarai Roka, an ophthalmologist at the Himalayan Eye Hospital in Pokhara, senior citizens in remote areas have cataracts for various reasons. 'It is very effective to hold a camp in the village for citizens who cannot go to the city and are in a situation where they are bothered,' she said.
According to the ward chairmen, the camp has saved both the time and money of the locals. Ward 5 chairman Geet Bahadur Gurung said that those who could not go to the city for treatment received services in their own place. Ward 7 Chairman Laxhuman Gurung said that the camp benefited those deprived of treatment due to economic and social reasons.
According to Rural Municipality Chairman Surya Prasad Gurung, such camps have been organized by prioritizing the health of the locals. Earlier, 658 people had availed services in the camp organized in Qholasothar-4, Bhujung, across Midimpari. Only 78 people with cataracts underwent surgery.
