China joins blindness battle

The health ministry's drive to assist the visually impaired suffering from cataracts has received a major boost, with the donation of medical equipment by the Chinese embassy under the Brightness Project.The gesture was met with excitement by deputy minister Juliet Kavetuna, who said health was a human right.She made her remarks during the handover of medical equipment last Friday, which will be used for people who have cataracts and are unable to see as a result of their condition.“We are excited by this project. Health is a human right. This is a very important campaign [as] it will enhance our capacity,” said Kavetuna.Through this gesture, China was helping strengthen relations between the two countries, she said.“China is our all-weather friend and this is the beginning of a good relationship,” she said.Kavetuna assured the Chinese delegation the equipment would assist many people. “These resources will be put to good use.”Five Chinese doctors will be assisting Windhoek-based ophthalmologist Dr Helena Ndume. The outreach programme will see many people having cataract surgery to restore their eyesight.Ndume said during the recent campaign kickoff at Windhoek's Central Hospital that while there were efforts to help people with cataracts, a great number were affected because of a lack of specialists.“There are so many patients… we have been doing this for many years, but still we cannot finish them because we do not have many doctors.”The ophthalmologist hoped the campaign would spark more visits by Chinese experts to Namibia to “help with surgeries on blind people”.“We are very happy that the people from China have come to help us to fight this preventable blindness, caused by cataracts. We are very fortunate and we hope they will come back again,” Ndume said. According to the Chinese embassy, the project will benefit around 200 people. The project kicked off in Rundu this past weekend.The equipment, which is valued at N$3.5 million, was donated under the Brightness Project.OGONE TLHAGE

China joins blindness battle

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-22

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China joins blindness battle

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-22

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