In October, Dr. De Wilde travelled to the island of Santo Antao in Cape Verde with two fellow doctors and a team of three nurses, an optometrist and an assistant.
At the local Dr. Joao Morais Hospital, 20 to 22 functionally blind patients were treated every day and cataract operations were performed. These were people who did not have the means to travel to Sao Vicente, where these operations normally take place.
With these operations, we not only give people back their sight, but also a degree of independence and a connection with their family and community.
The local ophthalmologist, Dr Karina Mascarinhas, carried out the preliminary examinations and is now responsible for the aftercare. We also support her with additional training to ensure the sustainability of local care.
Thanks to donations from companies and voluntary contributions to our non-profit organisations See & Smile and H.E.L.P., we can continue to carry out these valuable missions.
