Beneficiaries

Situated in Jiangxi Province, which has over 180,000 people affected by cataracts, Gao'an City Hospital once had the capacity to perform only two cataract surgeries each morning. Now at least ten surgeries are performed each morning. This is largely due to medical staff, such as nurse Ai Hua, being trained by The Foundation to assist in sight restoration procedures.

Ai Hua took part in a one month training program that provided her with the skills to support surgeons performing cataract surgery. "I learnt how everything should be arranged very well before and during the operation. I also learnt how to maintain the surgical instruments. If I didn't get the training it would all become very disordered" says Ai Hua.

As well as training surgeons to perform cataract surgery, The Foundation provides training to nurses and other support staff so that they can take care of any preparatory and administrative work. Previously, surgeons had to undertake preparatory work, preventing them from performing high volume cataract surgery.

Ai Hua wanted to work in the area of medicine since she was a little girl. "The area I am from is poor and many people cannot afford medical treatment. I like my job because I can care for people". The specific training Ai Hua received from The Fred Hollows Foundation is not offered by any other institution in Jiangxi Provice and Ai Hua is thankful for the opportunity to broaden her skills.

When asked what her plans are for the future, the mother of a 16 year old responds "I would like to continue to work at Gao'an City Hospital, to really help reduce the incidence of cataract blindness...I also hope my son will become an eye surgeon when he grows up, it would be great if we could work together"

A graduate of Yichun Medical University and currently Head of the Ear, Nose and Throat Department of Gao'an Hospital, Dr Deng has a real passion for ophthalmology "I get so happy when my patients see again. Even though I witness this everyday, I still get excited everytime" says Dr Deng.

In 2001, Dr Deng was a beneficiary of The Fred Hollows Foundation's Cataract Surgery Training Project. Surgeons, ophthalmic nurses, ward nurses and administrators from participating hospitals are trained to perform high quality and high volume cataract surgery.

Dr Deng can now perform small incision cataract surgery, performing more than 1,000 surgeries a year. Due to additional training and a desire to always learn more about her craft, Dr Deng has advanced her skills. She can now perform more complicated eye surgery cases such as congenital cataracts, cataracts with the presence of glaucoma and cataract caused by trauma.

To ensure she has the steady hands required for cataract surgery, Dr Deng does not drink tea or coffee and often practices knitting. "I really enjoy working in ophthalmology because I think the eye is a very important organ. I am always thinking how to better my surgical techniques" says Dr Deng.

Dr Deng is now passing on her skills to other doctors at Gao'an Hospital so that they too can play a part in tackling the 184,900 cataract surgery backlog in Jiangxi Province.

Patients are often full of praise for Dr Deng after receiving sight restoring surgery, but Dr Deng is humble "All I want my patients to do is tell friends, family members or fellow villagers who have cataracts to visit the hospital so that they too can see again".