Chinese team to deliver free cataract surgeries in...

Chinese team to deliver free cataract surgeries in Harare

Patience Muchemwa

Zim Now Reporter

China and Zimbabwe have signed an agreement that will provide much needed for those affected by cataracts.

"According to the agreement, a Chinese ophthalmologist medical team will be dispatched to Zimbabwe to carry out free cataract clinical operations,” China International Development Cooperation Agency announced on X.

Under the "Brightness Action" program, the Chinese medical team will work closely with local healthcare professionals to deliver state-of-the-art cataract surgeries to those in need free of charge.

This initiative comes at a crucial time, as cataracts remain a leading cause of preventable blindness in Zimbabwe, with a significant portion of the population suffering from cataract-related vision loss.

China has been sending medical teams to Zimbabwe for over 20 years. While some teams such as the ophthalmologists come in for a short period, a permanent team is stationed at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and manned by rotating teams of specialist doctors.

The 21st Medical Team from China is currently in residency at Parirenyatwa. Made up of doctors stationed in Hunan Province, the team has various specialists who have been offering services in Harare and during outreaches in areas as far flung as Bikita, Goromonzi and Hwange.

China also donated a hospital in China Zimbabwe Friendship Hospital in Mahusekwa.