Free camp brings light back to the poor

Bajura, May 4

Having lost her vision 37 years ago, Sidhara Rokaya, 107, of Baidi in Himali Rural Municipality, Bajura, was at the mercy of others until recently as she could not afford treatment of her eyes.

However, a free week-long eye camp organised in the rural municipality brought light back to her life. Baidi is a seven-day walk from the district headquarters.

“Due to her old age, it was not possible for me to take my mother out of the district,” said her son Dhayan Bahadur. He said his mother regained eyesight after surgery at the health camp.

Similarly, Safal Budha, 70, of the same rural municipality regained her after cataract surgery at the camp.

Nani Kala Rokaya, 84, and Pana Thapa, 80, of the rural municipality also regained eyesight at the same camp. “I lost my eyesight seven years ago and I did not have money for treatment,” said Nani Kala.

Himali Rural Municipality Chair Govinda Bahadur Malla said as many as 104 people from Humla and Mugu along with Bajura underwent cataract surgery at the camp. He said the health camp was organised at the joint initiative of Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Association and British Gurkhas Pokhara.

A health workers team deployed from Himalayan Eye Hospital had treated the patients.