Fatima Basher, F/70 started noticing diminished vision in both her eyes 5 years ago. She lost the capacity to do even her basic personal chores and required assistance for everything. Some neighbors informed her about the free FCMB/TCF eye care program in Birnin Kebbi where she was brought by her relatives. She was found to have mature cataracts in both her eyes. Surgery was carried out on both her eyes. Her joy knew no bounds when the bandages were removed.

Owerri Eye Centre extends its out-reach program

Owerri eye centre conducted an outreach screening programme at Avu, Owerri West in April 09.  152 patients were screened of which 37 patients selected for cataract surgery.  The village community actively participated in organising the outreach camp and provided all the facilities for the camp.

In June 09, an outreach camp was organised in the Isu Primary Health Project. 87 patients were screened of which 24 were selected for cataract and pterygium surgery.

Nwoha Cletus, 65/M from Amaigbo in Nwagele Local Government of Imo State is a motor cycle repairer in Owerri and has been living with his eye problem for more than five years.”I have really passed through a lot because of this eye problem for five years now.  At a point, I could not earn anything from my job because of my bad sight.  After my surgery at TCF-Owerri Eye Centre, I can see very well. As you can see, I am back to work, thanks to Tulsi Chanrai Foundation.”

UTABASI MFON, 7 years was born with the cataract in both eyes. It was difficult to evaluate whether removal of them would improve his eyesight, because the cataracts obstructed his retina.
He was brought to Calabar eye hospital through an out-reach screening camp organized by the hospital. He was operated under guarded prognosis. Fortunately, following his two surgeries on both the eyes, Utabasi regained vision.
His mother, wife of a casual labourer at University of Calabar expressed her feelings “Without the surgery, he would have been virtually blind." Since the operation, his personality has totally changed. Earlier he used to cling on to me and now he runs away from me. He’s hard to keep up with. It will now allow him to go to school like any other children.

Sebastian , a wounded soldier from Nigerian Army went blind 30 years ago . . "As I became blind I found things so difficult. I couldn't go far and I had to stay at my village." Since I am not married, there is no one take care of me . I used to sleep at Church campus and eat the little food given by the priest and other church members.
I heard of an announcement in the church that eye screening camp is going to take place at our Community Hall. I managed to attend the camp and was advised to go for operation at Calabar. But I did not have money to travel the long distances. The Church members sponsored my travel and I was operated on in the hospital. The very next day I started seeing the world again, I saw an aircraft flying.” He added” It is a Miracle”.

NDREKA TOMMY OKPAN, AGED 49, began to worry two years ago when a white film clouding his right eye would not clear away. He rode a motor cycle to carry passengers within the city. He said ”For two years before my first operation I couldn't do my work. At that time it was very hard. I had to sell my motorcycle and some of my personal possessions. My situation was very bad and my prospects looked bleak. I was unable to move on my own and kept bumping into people on the road. I heard about the patient screening programme and met the medical team and was referred to hospital. He was diagnosed with mature bilateral cataract and was operated on both his eyes.
Post operation he said : “He said , I'm very well now and have good vision. Now I start work at six every morning and am happy in my work, back”.

At the hospital, she was diagnosed with mature bilateral cataract. Within a period of few weeks , she was operated in both her eyes.

After regaining vision Okoroji said : “ getting my vision back is very meaningful to me and my family. I can see many things that I was not able to see for the last seven years particularly my grand children. And I can now sell vegetables and fruits in the market. This will help my family economically”.

Nwankwo Obiageli, 18/F was for three years leading a life in darkness and humiliation . This led me to her stopping going to school. She was taken to various hospitals for treatment of her eyes , but all in vain. One day a village beneficiary of TCF eye centre, Owerri took her to the hospital. She was diagnosed with cataract and operated upon immediately.

Post surgery Nwankwo exclaims ; “I can now read my books and I can now see my friends, my family. Now I am planning to restart my schooling.
This operation has increased my self esteem and self confidence. I am grateful to your TCF for giving me the gift of vision.”

Owulezi Innocent, 100/M was totally dependent on his family for all his daily chores. This suffering was going on for the last 10 years. At Owerri eye hospital, he was diagnosed with bilateral cataract and over a period of time he underwent cataract surgeries in both his eyes. On regaining vision, Owulezi said : “I am proud of getting operated in your hospital. I thank your people and His Excellency. The surgery was a gift to me by you in my old age”.

When 8 year old Mary returned to her village after her visit to the TCF Calabar hospital , she saw the small village very differently. That was because she was actually seeing it for the first time, the minute details, the colors, the faces as compared to the earlier faint, blurred images.
Mary was earlier identified during an outreach screening and brought to the TCF Eye Hospital at Calabar for cataract surgery in end October 2006. She had been blind since birth due to cataract, but the parents were too afraid to have their tiny baby operated on and preferred to believe that her sight might improve as she got older.
But following the two surgeries at TCF Hospital, her vision is 6/12 in one eye and 6/9 in the other. Had she visited the hospital earlier, she would be studying in the same class as her other friends.

In Calabar, Margret Ume’s world became foggy and blurred by cataract. Besides losing her independence, she could no longer see the young smiling face of her grandchild. She was referred to the Calabar eye hospital project and was successfully.

During the review camp in the village, she expressed, “I’m very happy to get back my eyesight, I can see clearly, like my early days. God bless Tulsi Chanrai Foundation for the noble work they are doing."

Azuoma Joaiah, 65/M, had lost one eye due to injury. He became totally incapacitated as his second eye was affected with cataract. He led a life on abject poverty and deprivation. There was no change in his life style due to lack of financial support and hospital facilities. With great difficulty, the villagers brought him to TCF eye centre at Owerri where we was diagnosed with mature cataract. Post-surgery, Azuoma after regaining vision said “ I am from a poor family I restored my lost vision, I am going to start a small business this will increase my family income and you showed a way to lead a life”

Ihegbu John, 63/M, a deaf and visually challenged person came to the Owerri eye centre, Owerri.  His wife told the program manager that 5 years ago he was an absolutely normal person. Due to diabetes, he started losing my hearing capabilities and also lost his vision due to cataract. She took him too many places but to no avail. After regaining vision in his left eye, he said “I don’t mind that I can’t hear but am happy as I can see things fine with one eye. Next month, I am going to come here for the surgery on my right eye.  Thanks to TCF and you all”.

Gift of Vision – Calabar Eye Hospital

Mrs. Mary Nwachukwu, poor farmer along with her 3 children, Helen Nwachukwu 16/f, Gift Nwachukwu, 14/f and Chigozi Nwachukwu, 12/m traveled 450 kms from Obingwa in Abia to Calabar by bus in the hope that the doctor at Calabar eye hospital would be able to help her three blind children.  Mary Nwachukwu has 4 children and three of them have developmental cataract.
Upon arriving in Calabar General Hospital, three children were examined by Dr Sreedhar. Immediately all of them were scheduled for surgery for the next day. The surgery passed off without any complications.
The following day, Mrs. Mary was thrilled to see all her children are happily chatting away with the other patients from Abia in their own language and touching everyone including the nurses. She expressed “I am the happiest mother in the world today. We will happily celebrate the Christmas with all our relatives. God Bless the Doctor and the foundation".