Health ministry teams up with Stanchart to raise funds for cataract operation
Bernama
August 9, 2013 17:00 MYT
August 9, 2013 17:00 MYT
The Health Ministry says its "Klinik Katarak 1Malaysia" initiative to raise funds through the Standard Chartered KL Marathon for the Standard Chartered Foundation is a great start to create public awareness on cataract eye condition.
The number of cataract surgeries has grown to about 34,000 a year, almost triple the number compared to 10 years ago, says Datuk Dr Azmi Shapie, the ministry's Medical Development Division director.
"Many people, especially rural folk, do not realise they have developed cataract and they don't see the urgency to remove it," he told Bernama.
Many rural people have little access to a clinic and do not see going to one as a priority, he said, adding that under the Standard Chartered Cataract Lens Programme cataract patients would be provided intraocular lenses.
"This project by Standard Chartered Bank, in association with the National Intraocular Lense Implant Bank, will ensure supply of the lenses and implants for poor patients who can't afford them.
"We will do screening and eye tests to identify people who have developed a cataract and we will arrange for these people to be treated," he said.
Dr Azmi said the programme focuses on rural people as most of them cannot afford the lenses.
The well-equipped Klinik Katarak 1Malaysia bus will be used for eye screening, treatment and also for surgery, he said.
"We will go to places where there are no specialised opthalmology services are available," he said.
The ministry has launched the bus, costing RM1.1 million, in Peninsular Malaysias east coast, and the programme is also headed to Sarawak.
The Standard Chartered KL Marathon, into its fifth year this year, will be flagged off at Dataran Merdeka on Sept 29.
This year, the marathon has exceeded its target, with a total of 33,000 runners having registered, ranging from elite professionals to first-time amateurs.
The participants from all over Malaysia and 48 countries worldwide, the marathon continues as Malaysias flagship running event, with top runners competing for a total US$110,000 prize money.