The Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) has begun a free cataract surgery exercise targeting more than 500 patients across communities in the Northern Region.

The five-day exercise which began on Monday, February 19, 2024, formed part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the hospital.

It is being undertaken in collaboration with the Himalayan Cataract Project (HCP), an American non-governmental organisation.

Dr. Gilbert Bonsaana, an Ophthalmologist at TTH said more than 1,000 patients had been screened for cataracts and other eye diseases weeks ahead of the surgery, adding that cataract was prioritised due to how prevalent it was.

He indicated that cataract was the most common cause of preventable blindness in the world which when tackled could reduce the burden of the disease.

Dr. Bonsaana said the patients would undergo periodic post-surgery reviews to ensure they were fine, explaining that although there was room for complications in every surgery, the team was poised to ensure the patients were well catered for.

Zubeiru Aliu, the Public Relations Officer of the hospital explained that HCP provided the necessary equipment to enable the medical team at the hospital to carry out the surgeries.

Lloyd Gyebi, a beneficiary of the free surgery said it was fulfilling to undergo surgery at no cost.