By Foday Moriba Conteh

Choithram Memorial Hospital, in partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Health, on Monday, June 8, 2026, announced the successful completion of its two-month Free Cataract Surgery Camp, a landmark medical outreach that restored sight and transformed the lives of more than 1,600 patients from across the country.

The campaign, which ran from April 10 to June 8, 2026, at Choithram Memorial Hospital on Hill Station in Freetown, formed part of continuing efforts to reduce preventable blindness and expand access to quality eye healthcare services in Sierra Leone.

The initiative received support from several international and humanitarian organizations, including the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, Noor Dubai Foundation, Choithram International Foundation and Choithram Netralaya in Indore, India.

To enhance the quality of service delivery, a team of specialist eye surgeons and medical personnel from India joined the exercise. The visiting medical team comprised Dr. Meghna Shrishrimal, Dr. Abhishek Patel and Dr. Akash Kathole, assisted by three experienced theatre staff who supported surgical operations throughout the programme.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, Head of Choithram Group, Harish Agnani, described the outreach as one of the most extensive and impactful healthcare initiatives ever undertaken by the institution in Sierra Leone.

Harish Agnani disclosed that 6,000 patients were screened during the exercise, while 1,678 successful cataract surgeries were performed, exceeding the initial target of 1,550 operations and surpassing achievements recorded in previous years. He added that the programme also attracted patients from neighbouring Guinea and Liberia.

Harish Agnani explained that Choithram Memorial Hospital absorbed all expenses related to the initiative, including surgeries, medication, transportation, accommodation and post-operative care, describing the programme as a significant investment in restoring hope, dignity and independence to vulnerable people.

“This programme involved a huge expenditure, but it has been very satisfying for us because we have been able to give back to society,” Harish Agnani said.

Harish Agnani noted that unlike conventional medical camps that often last only a few days, the Free Cataract Surgery Camp was conducted continuously for two months, making it the largest eye care outreach in the hospital's history.

He praised the dedication and commitment of staff across every department, emphasizing that the success of the programme was made possible through the collective efforts of doctors, nurses, theatre personnel, laboratory technicians, radiology teams, reception staff, security officers and administrators.

Harish Agnani further stressed that despite the high number of surgeries performed each day, Choithram Memorial Hospital maintained its routine services, including outpatient consultations, diagnostic procedures and other surgical operations without interruption.

“The hospital functioned normally throughout the camp. This was only possible because of the professionalism and commitment of our staff,” Harish Agnani said.

Harish Agnani also disclosed that the programme required extensive logistical arrangements, including transporting patients from various communities, conducting screenings, carrying out surgeries, providing post-operative care and ensuring beneficiaries returned safely to their homes after treatment.

He acknowledged the support received from the Ministry of Health, international partners and visiting medical specialists from India and the United Arab Emirates, noting that their contributions were instrumental to the success of the initiative.

Harish Agnani also highlighted efforts aimed at building local capacity, revealing that Sierra Leonean health workers had been trained in India to strengthen national expertise in eye care services.

According to Harish Agnani, two operating theatres were utilized during this year's campaign, compared to one in previous editions, while plans are underway to further expand the hospital's surgical capacity.

Harish Agnani estimated that the initiative represented an investment of more than half a million dollars, based on international cataract surgery costs, but maintained that the expenditure was worthwhile because of the profound impact it had on the lives of patients.

Consultant Ophthalmologist, Dr. Lloyd Harrison-Williams, commended the initiative and described it as the largest eye care outreach programme ever conducted in Sierra Leone.

Dr. Lloyd Harrison-Williams emphasized that while the number of surgeries performed was impressive, equal attention must be given to maintaining the highest standards of quality, warning against compromising surgical outcomes during large-scale medical interventions.

He also stressed the importance of proper post-operative monitoring, noting that continuous patient follow-up is essential for preventing complications and ensuring long-term recovery of vision.

National Eye Health Programme Manager, Dr. John G. Mattia, described the initiative as a major milestone for the country's healthcare sector, noting that it was the first programme of such scale to be undertaken in Sierra Leone.

Dr. John G. Mattia stated that cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness in the country but can be effectively treated through surgery, adding that the programme had significantly improved the quality of life of beneficiaries.

The National Eye Health Programme Manager further highlighted the importance of expanding access to eye healthcare services across the country and strengthening collaboration between the Government and development partners.

He also praised the outreach strategy that extended services to rural and hard-to-reach communities, where many cases of preventable blindness are recorded.

Indian specialist eye surgeon, Dr. Abhishek Patel, applauded the efficient coordination of the programme, revealing that more than 200 patients were managed each day across outpatient clinics, operating theatres and recovery units.

Dr. Abhishek Patel said the success of the initiative was the result of effective planning, strong teamwork and the availability of adequate medical supplies, adding that the welcoming environment at Choithram Memorial Hospital made the visiting team feel at home.

He also thanked the Noor Dubai Foundation and Choithram Netralaya for their support and encouraged the continuation of the programme on an annual basis.

One of the beneficiaries, Isatu Kamara, expressed gratitude for the surgery and described the experience as life-changing.

Isatu Kamara said she had struggled with poor eyesight for a long time but can now see clearly following the operation.

“My right eye is now very bright. I am happy with the result and I look forward to coming back next year for the left eye,” Isatu Kamara said.

The successful conclusion of the Free Cataract Surgery Camp represents a major achievement for Sierra Leone's healthcare sector, restoring sight to thousands of people and demonstrating the value of strong partnerships between Government, private institutions and international organizations in delivering quality medical services.

Many observers believe the programme has not only reduced the burden of preventable blindness but has also strengthened local medical capacity, laying a solid foundation for the expansion of eye healthcare services throughout Sierra Leone. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/choithram-hospital-concludes-free-cataract-surgery-camp-restoring-sight-to-over-1600-patients-nationwide/