Indian surgeons perform free eye surgeries in Africa

Three experienced eye surgeons from India have recently completed a mission to provide free eye surgeries in Nigeria and Ghana. The doctors, Dr. Sundar Ram Shetty, Dr. Ravishankar Venkatasubbaiah, and Dr. Vasanth Kumar, aimed to help people in these countries who suffer from preventable blindness. During their trip, the surgeons not only performed surgeries but also trained eight local eye surgeons and one anaesthesiologist. This training is part of a larger effort to enhance medical care in the region. Dr. Shetty, 70, treated 42 patients at the Rotary Eye Hospital in Nigeria. Dr. Venkatasubbaiah, 62, performed 28 surgeries in Ghana and an additional 26 in Nigeria. Dr. Kumar, 60, worked as the anaesthesiologist in Nairobi. The surgeries took place from March 11 to March 21. Dr. Venkatasubbaiah focused on eye surgeries for children, while Dr. Shetty handled cataract and pterygium cases. Dr. Ravishankar emphasized that the goal of this initiative is to eliminate preventable blindness in these countries. He noted the importance of support from various Rotary clubs and philanthropists in making this mission possible.