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Lowell A. Gess, M.D. November 7, 2001
Volunteer Eye Surgery at Kissy UMC Eye Hospital, Freetown, Sierra Leone,October 12-November 5,2001 It had been six months since our last visit. Freetown now is the site for the largest concentration of United Nation troops in the world. Refugees flood the streets bringing traffic to a near stand-still for periods of every day. The short distance from down town to Kissy UMC Eye Hospital normally requiring 10 to 15 minutes often lengthens to 2 to 3 hours. Our Hillux four wheel drive vehicle donated by Christian Blind Mission to assist in mobile eye clinics throughout Sierra Leone threaded through the mass of humanity crowding the streets. Thankfully no pedestrians were injured during our passage. We were happy to arrive at the eye hospital after our trip from Alexandria, Minnesota, via Amsterdam and Accra, Ghana. Members of the staff were there to greet us and help us with our luggage which included 280 pounds of medicines and supplies. Alcon Laboratories and S.E.E. International had generously supplied us for our three week stay of volunteer eye surgery which included 106 eye operations. Eighty five per cent were cataract extractions with intraocular lens implantations with the remainder consisting of trabectulectomies and procedures for pterygia and lid alterations. During the following days of a busy clinic and surgical schedule, we continued to be amazed by the upbeat attitude of the staff. They consider their work as God's calling for them. They take turns in the reading of scripture, prayers, witnessing, and hymn directing once the hundred or more patients are registered for the day. Their deep Christian commitment is a challenge to Ruth and me. Without exception they have returned to their posts at times of great danger. None was killed, but some lost all of their personal possessions. Three had their homes burned during the rebel intrusion into Freetown. Being able to help blind patients is a soul inspiring experience. Many were bilaterally blind making them dependent on others to lead them. Their joy at being independent and productive vicariously is experienced by the surgeons and staff. Dr. Ainor Fergusson, a native Sierra Leonean, not only does eye surgery four days a week at Kissy but occasionally flies to Guinea Bissau to help in the CBM sponsored program there. While I was thrilled to be a part of renewed sight for these blind patients, it was a special event to do a second intraocular lens implantation on Mr. Josef Caulker, a radiant Christian, who on March 4, 1984, received a personally designed Alpha Omega intraocular lens. Seventeen years later, he sees "perfectly" with that left eye but wanted to have the blind right eye restored as well. His hopes and prayers were realized. Isata Kamara had been blind for several years. Because of the nature of her condition, she required an anterior chamber intraocular lens. Thinking that she might not have much vision we did the other cataract extraction five days later… again requiring an anterior lens. A few days before returning from our visit to Kissy, Isata walked through the door, followed by her daughter who was carrying a baby on her back. Previously the daughter had to lead the mother. The daughter explained that before coming to the clinic, she found her mother in the market having a wonderful time. Along with the many smiles, there were a few tears…of joy. I cannot help but strongly encourage opthalmologists and other doctors to share their time and skills as volunteers to a needy world. Organizations around the world are gearing up to bring to fruition Allan Harkey's vision of sight for the world by 2020. A doctor is never the same again after participating in this service of love.
For more information on the needs and how you can help contact: Dr. Lowell Gess gessla@rea-alp.com
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