By Chioma Obinna

With over one million Nigerians affected by cataract, Rotary Club of Palmgrove Estate is set to restore sight to over 1,500 indigent persons blind as a result of cataract.

Meanwhile, 18,000 Nigerians have benefitted from free eye surgeries facilitated by the Club in Lagos and Abeokuta.

Flagging off the exercise which was the first step towards the free surgeries of the planned 1500 surgeries, former Rotary President, Ravindra Kamat, said the exercise was strictly for underserved Nigerians who have either been blind or partially blind.

Explaining that the project was part of the philanthropy of the late Dr. Viral Purohit of Eye Institute Navsari, India and Rotarian Naranbhai Patel of Palm grove Estate,Lagos, he noted that the duo initiated the project to make medical facilities available to underprivileged cataract patients free of charge.

“A full-fledged team of doctors and para medical staff from India specifically come to Nigeria every year to conduct these surgeries.

“Normally, such surgeries cost around N200,000 but the Palmgrove Club does it absolutely free. We also provide a kit, medicines, dark goggles for beneficiaries.”

Further, he explained that the eye camp for 2015 had begun and would be conducting initial screenings Saturdays. He added that the screening would be followed by surgeries on April 25, May 1st, 2nd, 9th and 16th 2015 at the Club’s office premises, Palm Groove Estate, Ilupeju Lagos.

No fewer than 500 patients are expected Saturdays for the initial screening from which beneficiaries of the cataract surgeries would emerge. The target is at least 900 patients will be operated on from 25th May, 2015 at the General Hospital, Lagos. The activity at Abeokuta is expecting surgeries for around 600 patients.