The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) charity arm has donated an eye equipment worth $500,000 to the Pacific Eye Institute.

The Minister for Health and Medical Services Rosy Akbar during the handover ceremony for Ophthalmology equipment said around 25,000 patients were treated at the Pacific Eye Institute (PEI) in Fiji every year.

The LDS Charities presented equipment to Ms Akbar at the Fiji Pharmaceutical and Bio-Medical Services Centre in Suva on Tuesday.

She said the equipment would be used by health facilities in Labasa, Suva and Lautoka to enhance vital eye care services and improve access to those services for Fijians families from across the country.

She said the donation included equipment which can be used for early detection of eye diseases.

“The eye institute attends to 50 patients at the Diabetes Eye Clinic; around 100 patients are served in the outpatient department; and 16 surgeries are performed on a daily basis,” Ms Akbar said.

“Diabetes is the leading cause of vision impairment among the working aged population in developing countries and Fiji is no exception,” she said.

“We need to ensure that diabetic retinopathy is addressed and given the maximum awareness and advocacy to help control the disease including through screening for good eye care.”

She said the ministry was proud of its partnership with the LDS Church as it has helped enhance health services for Fijian families.

Ophthalmology  is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eyeballand orbit (Wikipedia).

Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj