Milestone: Magrabi ICO Eye Institute registers over 400,000 consultations in seven years.

The world-class hospital, based in the locality of Oback, some 25km from Yaounde, reached the landmark eye consultation of over 400,000 patients on August 29, 2024. 

The hospital, planted in Cameroon by the Africa Eye Foundation of Egyptian, Dr Akef El-Maghraby, officially began functioning on March 29, 2017.

From the landmark figure, over 73,000 eye consultations were provided free of charge through community outreach programmes.

In addition, more than 24,000 eye surgeries were conducted during the same period.

The remarkable accomplishments, observers say, testify of the dedication and commitment to the eye health of Cameroonians by the hospital staff, led by the Chief Executive Director, Dr Henry Nkumbe. 

Observers say the figures are a reflection of MICEI’s impressive contribution to the national fight against preventable blindness in Cameroon.

Enter Chief Executive Director

According to Dr Nkumbe, less than 20% of Cameroonians with vision problems seek consultation from a professional. 

Stating that it indicates 80% of Cameroonians do not have access to eyecare, Dr Nkumbe says “the need is truly enormous, with many people only seeking assistance when their condition has reached a critical stage, often leaving us unable to find solutions”. 

To reverse the negative trend, the MICEI CEO says they have been multiplying efforts, in preparation for the commemoration of World Sight Day and in this back-to-school period.

The move, he says, is to ensure everyone can benefit from the comprehensive quality care that meets international standards. 

As a centre of subspecialties, MICEI boasts of departments such as retina, cataract, glaucoma, uveitis, oculoplastics, paediatric ophthalmology, and many others.

The hospital official also pointed out that they offer training for eye health specialists, ranging from subspecialty surgeons to nurses and ophthalmic equipment maintenance personnel.

It is worth mentioning that MICEI, as part of its mission, is committed to providing high quality and accessible eye health services to those in need, in order to improve the well-being and productivity of the population in Cameroon in particular and African in general. 

The eye institute also trains ophthalmologists and other eye care professionals in Cameroon and French-Speaking Central West Africa. 

The target, Dr Nkumbe says, is for them to become the next generation of leaders in eye care and to provide high quality eye care services with sub-specialties (currently unavailable in Central Africa) and outreach programs, minimising the need to send patients abroad. 

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3217 of Monday September 02, 2024