THE Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) has received two modern machines worth 68.2m/-for performing minimally invasive eye surgeries on patients with cataract.

The equipment, which includes surgical consumables, medicine and a phacoemulsifier donated by Vision Care through Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

Dr Joachim Kilemile, an ophthalmologist at MNH said this in Dar es Salaam yesterday when receiving the donation, noting that the equipment will improve services, save time and enable faster recovery for patients.

“It’s not the first time we are performing this type of surgery but this machine will help suction the cloudiness in the lens. Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy,” he said.

“These machines will improve the quality of surgery because in the past, patients with cataract had to wait until the condition matures before undergoing surgery. Now, surgery can be done as soon as the condition is diagnosed.”

Dr Dong Hae Kim, founder and chairman of Vision Care, said the institution has partnered with MNH to provide training for specialists and supply of equipment.

He said that the training will include how to use the machines for optimal treatment results, adding that it is a positive step as some of the machines have already been used by leading ophthalmologists.

Dr Ibrahim Nkoma, MNH acting director of surgical services, said that 60 to 70 percent of surgeries will be performed using the minimally invasive method.

“I thank Vision Care and KOICA for strengthening specialized services at MNH. The goal is to bring services closer to Tanzanians rather than having to seek the same abroad at high cost,” he said.

He added that MNH will utilize its trained experts to provide training to their counterparts in regional, referral and district hospitals.