Hope for better and affordable cataract surgery

Burundi has now potentials to offer better and low-cost care to cataract patients thanks to a recent acquisition of advanced surgical materials.

Most Burundian patients can’t afford the treatment of cataract

Burundian cataract patients will be treated with up-to-date surgical equipment and medical materials that the Ministry of Public Health has recently acquired. The treatment might be at low cost compared to costs that prevail in private hospitals where the disease is mainly treated.

“It’s an advantage for patients because from now on, they will receive high quality treatment at low charges”, says Dr Thaddée Ndikumana, Public Health Ministry Spokesman.

Dr Godefroid Kamwenubusa, Director of National Integrated Program for Chronic Disease Control, says cataract is the first eye disease that affects Burundians who are over 50 years old. In 2014, 1 197 cases of cataract were registered , while the number was 645 in 2015, says Josiane Nijimbere, the Minister of Public Health.

The surgical kit, estimated at $ 600,000, was left to Prince Régent Charles Hospital by a team of Chinese ophthalmologists who had come to freely help cataract patients restore their vision finished their mission. 184 patients received the free treatment.

The equipment was given to the hospital to help Burundians treat their own patients. As the equipment was handed over, Sun Jin, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Burundi, said “teaching to fish is better than giving fish. Thanks to the demonstration and training of our Chinese experts, Burundian doctors have also been able to improve their ability to treat this disease”.

However, for the moment, the surgical materials are used by a Chinese ophthalmologist who is regularly posted to the hospital, says Pamphile Bukuru, who is in charge of information, education and communication in the Ministry of Public Health.