A GLASGOW doctor is travelling to remote African communities to help give local people the gift of sight.

 

Kirsty Luescher, co-founder of Glasgow-based charity On Call Africa, flew to Livingstone in Zambia at the weekend to help provide much-needed medical care to villagers who have little or no access to basic healthcare.

The team will be able to offer glasses to those who need them at their mobile surgeries after Optical Express teamed up with the charity.

The eye care provider is supplying On Call Africa with used spectacles to distribute during their outreach work in Southern Zambia.

Kirsty, 34, who also works in palliative medicine, said: "Our patients live in very rural areas and it is impossible for them to get glasses.

"They come to the clinic and they don't know what is wrong with their eyes.

"Women tell us they can't see to sew anymore and are distressed because they won't be able to support their families.

"We get them to try on glasses until they achieve correction. One of the most satisfactory things we do as a charity is helping our patients to regain their sight.

"We are extremely grateful to Optical Express for its support."

Optical Express approached the charity after treating retired Highlands GP, Iain Farmer, who had laser eye surgery in advance of volunteering with On Call Africa.

Former family doctor Iain, 61, who was short sighted, underwent the procedure to reduce the risk of contracting an eye infection during his trip. As many of the remote Zambian communities served by On Call Africa have limited clean water

Iain would not have been able to wash his hands before inserting or removing his contact lenses

Iain said: "As soon as Optical Express staff found out I was having surgery to volunteer with On Call Africa they offered to support the charity by donating glasses.

"Having my vision corrected by laser eye surgery has been a new lease of life for me. Now thanks to Optical Express, patients who visit On Call Africa's clinics suffering from similar vision problems will also have the opportunity to regain their sight."

Iain also flew out to Zambia on Saturday and returns at the end of June.

The doctors will be based at Livingstone and each week will drive hundreds of miles into the African bush to hold clinics in remote villages where there are no GPs and the nearest clinics are often many miles away.

On Call Africa's mobile clinics treat a number of common complaints and diagnose many serious conditions including HIV and malaria.

Among the complaints often presented are vision problems which in the developed world are easily corrected with spectacles.

David Moulsdale, CEO at Optical Express, said: "Optical Express welcomes the opportunity to assist On Call Africa and help its patients in Southern Zambia reclaim their sight.

"In rural areas with little infrastructure having good eyesight is the difference between having a livelihood and being unable to work and provide for your family.

"Having good eyesight can literally change a life."

To find out more about the work of On Call Africa or to donate visit: http://www.oncallafrica.org.uk/