Turkish NGO gave 100,000 cataract surgeries to Africans

By Ismail Ozdemir

ISTANBUL

Over the last decade a leading Turkish aid group has provided some 100,000 cataract surgeries to needy patients in 14 African countries, the group said in a statement on Thursday.

The Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) project started 10 years ago with the motto, “If you see, they will see,” and concluded this year after 100,000 successful surgeries.

The project helped people in 14 African countries, including, Sudan, Ghana, Ethiopia, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Mali, Chad, Uganda, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Niger, Mozambique, and Somalia.

Cataracts are an eye condition that results in cloudy vision.

The IHH says that project was a cooperative effort of the Health Ministry, Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA), World Health Organization, and the Islamic Development Bank.

“Each surgery cost 250 Turkish liras ($65),’’ said IHH head Bulent Yildirim.

“We are so happy to complete this project with Turkish donors’ grants and support. I thanked them on behalf of the Africans.”

Reporting by Ismail Ozdemir; Writing by Seyit Ahmet Aytac