Choithram Cataract Surgery Program Restores Sight to Thousands in Sierra Leone
By: James Kamara-Manneh
A large-scale Cataract Surgery Outreach Program jointly organized by the Ministry of Health and Choithram Memorial Hospital, in collaboration with several international foundations, has delivered free eye surgeries and screenings to thousands of Sierra Leoneans. The program, which began in March and is set to end in, early July, was formally updated in a media briefing held in Freetown on Wednesday.
Addressing the press, Dr. Harish Agnani, CEO of Choithram Memorial Hospital, expressed gratitude to all partners and medical staff involved. He disclosed that as of June 19, more than 8,800 people across the country had been screened for cataracts and other eye conditions. Of these, 1,370 were identified as operable cases, and 1,058 successful surgeries have already been conducted.
“Our target was initially to operate on 1,000 patients over four months. Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our team—including seven Indian medical professionals and two newly arrived surgeons—we have exceeded expectations,” Dr. Agnani stated. “We are now conducting 25 to 30 surgeries per day, far more than the originally estimated 15 to 20.”
Dr. Agnani emphasized that all surgeries and related care have been provided entirely free of charge. The program ensures patients are transported from rural districts to Freetown, screened, operated on, and followed up—all at no cost to them. “Even patients from distant districts such as Pujehun and Kambia have been accommodated. We send transport to pick them up, offer overnight lodging, perform surgeries the next day, and ensure proper follow-up before returning them home.”
The program has received logistical and technical support from the Ministry of Health, Noor Dubai Foundation, Mohammed Bin Rashid Foundation, Global Foundation, and Choithram International Foundation. Notably, Natural Life has provided staff for operations and patient care over the past four months.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Dr. G.M. George, Head of Medical Services, commended the dedication of the medical team. “These doctors have worked overtime, even on Sundays, to ensure that patients—many of whom arrive late from rural areas—receive timely care. Without their sacrifices, this outreach could not have been successful.”
Dr. George also emphasized the exhaustive preparation involved in the operations. “All patients undergo a series of screenings to assess their fitness for surgery. About 10% are deemed ineligible due to underlying conditions such as hypertension or diabetes.”
Dr. Lloyd Harrison Williams, Acting National Eye Health Programme Manager, provided further insights into the scope of the outreach. “Screenings were conducted in all districts, and provincial-level screening will officially end this Saturday to allow sufficient time for final surgeries before the camp closes on July 8,” he said. He noted that many people from the provinces did not take full advantage of the opportunity, despite transportation and support being offered.
“From this initiative, we’ve learned that outreach requires not only funding but also community mobilization and awareness. Still, we are thankful that over 1,300 people have either regained or significantly improved their vision.”
The latest batch of doctors from India—Dr. Nita Khan and Dr. Meghna Jain—were introduced during the event. Both have extensive experience in cataract surgery and are also contributing to local capacity-building by training Sierra Leonean healthcare workers. “It has been a wonderful experience,” said Dr. Jain. “The hospitality and warmth of the people here have been heartening.”
The outreach program has not only restored sight to over a thousand individuals but also brought international expertise to local medical institutions and established a strong model for large-scale public health intervention in Sierra Leone.
The event concluded with testimonies from several patients who had benefited from the surgeries, praising the initiative and expressing profound gratitude for the restoration of their vision.
The Cataract Surgery Outreach Program will conclude its surgical operations by July 8, with the final screening activities wrapping up across provinces by June 21 and in Freetown by June 25.
