– There are over 300,000 persons whose blindness is caused by corneal damage in Ethiopia, according to Demeke Kebede, the bank’s deputy manager
By Abebech Tamene
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – Girma Woldegiorgis, Ethiopia’s former ceremonial president of 12 years, helped set up the Eye Bank of Ethiopia and was the first to pledge to donate his cornea.
“It is the greatest joy to give your cornea to people blinded due to cornea damage, so that they can regain their sight,” Girma, 90, told Anadolu Agency in an exclusive interview.
“For me, death could end life but not the relationship I have established with the Eye Bank of Ethiopia,” he said. “The bank was established 12 years ago and I pledged my cornea to it. Since then, I have been persuading people to pledge their corneas to the bank.”
There are over 300,000 persons whose blindness is caused by corneal damage in Ethiopia, according to Demeke Kebede, the bank’s deputy manager.
Demeke told Anadolu Agency that “10,600 people have pledged to donate their corneas since the bank was established.”
“Until last June, 1,227 people have benefited from cornea transplants and regained their sight,” he said.
– Living with the eyes of the dead
A cornea taken from a generous donor is about to be transplanted to Berhe Belay, 54.
Anadolu Agency met with Berhe in the surgical room of the Menelik II Hospital, the country’s oldest hospital.
Berhe was lying on his back waiting for the cornea surgeon, Dr. Mennen Ayalew, to carry out the transplant.
Anadolu Agency observed Dr. Mennen, the bank’s medical director, carry out the operation on Berhe, whose left eye was blinded for almost 18 months.
Dr. Mennen, who is also head of the Ophthalmology Department at Addis Ababa University, sat down with Anadolu Agency for an interview in the surgical room.
“There is a significant change in the lives of recipients after cornea transplants,” she said after completing the operation and covering Berhe’s eye with a bandage.
Dr. Mennen said that “65 to 70 percent of the recipients are able to read after cornea transplantations.”
“There is shortage of the necessary equipment. We hope to build our capacity and curb the shortage of materials in collaboration with our partners,” she said before rushing to the next patient.
Kennedy Alemayehu, 24, was the youngest of the first cornea recipients during the year the bank was established.
“It was after I underwent a cornea transplant that I regained my sight after five years of blindness,” Kennedy said.
“I currently study theatrical art and cinematography,” he said. “I also work as a video cameraman during my leisure time – both professions require sharp eyes.”
– Challenges
“Dead bodies are highly respected in Ethiopian culture,” the former Ethiopian president said. “Asking to take a cornea from a deceased person is considered disrespectful and inhumane.”
Demeke, the bank’s deputy manager, said “the request is made while relatives are mourning because corneas should be taken within eight hours after the death of a person – this is the major challenge.”
“The other challenge is that although some people have pledged their corneas, the bank cannot get information about those who die in their homes unless the families cooperate,” he added.
– Plan
As the bank is only able to collect corneas from residents of Addis Ababa and its surrounding areas at present, it is planning to expand its cornea collection centers so that it can reach other areas.
Cornea transplant services are available at eight governmental and private health institutions in five regional states, including the capital Addis Ababa, Demeke said.
The number of cornea surgeons has now increased to nine from only one when the bank was established.
Cornea transplants costs $100 at governmental health institutions and $350 at private health institutions. For those who are poor, corneas are transplanted free of charge.
The Eye Bank of Ethiopia is the first and the only such bank in East Africa.
Source: newsfultoncounty.com
No comments:
Post a Comment