Turkish aid brings light to Somalis

Turkish aid brings light to Somalis

World Bulletin Turkey's IHH said its health teams of doctors performed cataract operations on 929 more people in Somalia, increasing the total number of those who can see the light after aid in the whole African continent has reached 34 thousand 749 after aid. Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) said in a statement sent to World Bulletin, "it continues to perform cataract operations in different countries of Africa." "929 people in Somalia's Hargesa area got operations and now can see the light," the IHH statement said. "The total number of people in Somalia reached 6 thousands 851, while the number in the whole African continent has reached 34 thousand 749," the relief group said. Many young people lose sight due to cataract because of weather conditions, economic deficiencies and insufficient number of eye doctors. People, especially in rural areas, condemned to lives in the dark without a surgery. About 5 million people in Africa lose eyesight due to this disease, although they could be brought out of dark with a simple operation. Starting cataract operations in African countries 3 years ago, the Turkish aid brings light to Somalis Turkey's IHH said its teams of doctors performed cataract operations on 929 more people in Somalia, increasing the total number of those who can see the light after aid in the whole African continent has reached 34 thousand 749 after aid. "Target 100 thousand" Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) said in a statement sent to World Bulletin, "it continues to perform cataract operations in different countries of Africa." "929 people in Somalia's Hargesa area got operations and now can see the light," the IHH statement said. "The total number of people in Somalia reached 6 thousands 851, while the number in the whole African continent has reached 34 thousand 749," the relief group said. Many young people lose sight due to cataract because of weather conditions, economic deficiencies and insufficient number of eye doctors.. People, especially in rural areas, condemned to lives in the dark without a surgery.About 5 million people in Africa lose eyesight due to this disease, although they could be brought out of dark with a simple operation. Starting cataract operations in African countries 3 years ago, the foundation continues eye examinations and surgery to bring light to the people of Africa. IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation Chairman Bulent Yildirim said total number of people who got eye operations reached 34 thousand 749 in Africa in three years, while IHH aims to reach 50 thousand at the end of 2010, and targeted number of 100 thousand that will be reached in 2012. "Our work in Africa began in 2007. Our goal is to make 100 thousand operations in the first place. We are approaching this figure with the contributions of our philanthropic people. People can contribute to the campaignfor the cost of one operation, which is 100 new Turkish liras," Yildirim said. IHH chairman Yildirim continued as following: "We work in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Ghana, Benin, Togo and Chad. We take volunteer doctors and nurses from Turkey to the countries we make operations. Health Ministry gives those volunteer doctors and nurses 1 month administrative leave. We need volunteer doctors and nurses. At this point, we expect the support of eye doctors. Finally, I want to say, you may not be doing much with 100 liras in Turkey. But you can help someone in Africa who cannot see, change a person's life."