A delegation from Surgical Eye Expedition (SEE) , United States of America made a courtesy visit to the management of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching hospital. The courtesy visit according to the head of department Ophthalmology, Professor Sydney Ejimadu, who led the delegation was to intimate management on the free cataract surgery which began few weeks ago in partnership with SEE International.
Dr. John Millin and Spring Stocker from SEE, were accompanied by senior consultants, the head nurse and team members of the department, on the visit.
Prof. Ejimadu while briefing management on the outreach said Dr. John Millin have been of enormous help since the mission began in 2012 providing consumables and even microscope for the department. For this year he said “our target is at least to operate on one hundred (100) cases”, expressing optimism to do more if possible, having screened over 300 cases of cataract since the outreach began on the 6th of November 2023. The team is to proceed to the theater for surgeries and to conclude on the 24th of November for this year’s mission.
Dr. John Millin in his remarks appreciated UPTH management for helping to organize and to facilitate the success of the mission in Nigeria. He said ” I had done mission trips with colleagues around the world in like fifteen different countries, and now when I came here I was like this is the best place. He said it was unfortunate that COVID stalled the mission for few years but is excited to be in UPTH again . He commended management and the ophthalmology team for having great and hard working people to work with.
On behalf of the Chief medical director, Prof. Henry A. Ugboma, management and staff of the hospital, the Chairman medical advisory committee, Prof Datonye Alasia welcomed the team stating that “it’s a very exciting time whenever this ( free cataract surgery ) happens because it will certainly impact on a lot of people, a lot of patient, sight will be restored for many” . He assured the team of management’s commitment to do her best as partners to sustain it and to see how it can be better. He commended the department of ophthalmology for their commitment, passion and professionalism in the many outreaches the department have continuously done to ensure community service.
