Dr Blaise Noa Noatina, Assistant Coordinator for the National Programme for the Prevention of Blindness, makes an assessment of the situation.

Why a campaign against cataract now?

Cataract is the first cause of blindness in Cameroon and developing countries. There are thousands of people in Cameroon who are waiting for cataract surgery. While there are many people who cannot financially afford for the cost of surgery. We have not been able to satisfy all those who are waiting for a cataract surgery. There are many barriers to the cataract surgery. One of them is the cost. But thanks to the HIPC initiative, the government has been able to subsidize 2,000 cataract surgeries a year so that poor people can benefit. The Yaounde Teaching Hospital is one of the centres that has been chosen to host the subsidized cataract operation. Through the National Programme for the Prevention of Blindness we have planned to carry out four cataract campaigns throughout the country. By the end of June, there will be another campaign in Bertoua and other localities. But this will depend on the resources that will be given to us. The operation is being carried out by Cameroonian specialists.

What is the situation of cataract in Cameroon?

It is estimated that 170,000 people are suffering from cataract. Cataract is responsible for 50 per cent of all blindness cases in Cameroon and we are able to carry out just 13,000 surgeries a year through out the country. There is a big gap between those suffering from cataract and those who can be treated. Looking at statistics from the Yaounde Teaching Hospital, we perform less than 20 surgical operations a year. That is why cataract it is the number one problem in the National Programme for the Prevention of Blindness.

How are cataract cases handled without government subsidies?

Usually, when patients are informed of a cataract operation, they complain of lack of money. When the operation is not subsidized by the government, it costs over CFA 150,000. In mission hospitals, it could cost CFA 25,000 to 35,000. With subsidies from the government, patients pay just CFA 5000 for the consultation, surgical intervention, drugs and medical follow-up after the surgery for over two months. Thus with CFA 5,000, one can prevent blindness. With a cost recovery system that we want to put in place, we hope to reduce the cost of cataract surgery.

What is expected by the end of the campaign?

We are hoping to operate 100 cataract patients by the end of the campaign. If we have a second microscope, the expected number to be operated might double. After that we hope that more patients will come to the hospital to be operated even though it will not be subsidized. We hope that we will continue to benefit from government's assistance to fight against cataract in Cameroon.