In the remote Hela Province of Papua New Guinea (PNG), a remarkable two-week eye outreach project took place in Tari. Led by Dr Waimbe Wahamu and his dedicated team, the outreach was a huge success, bringing not only medical care but also hope to a region often cut off from modern healthcare.

Underlining the importance of their mission to the local community, the team were warmly welcomed by a group of traditional tribesmen on arrival.

Over the course of the mission, the team performed 325 cataract surgeries, with two exceptional paediatric cataract cases standing out. The first was Alice Urapu, a 14-year-old girl who was born with bilateral cataracts. The second case was six-year-old Joan Simon, who also had congenital cataracts. Both patients underwent complex bilateral lensectomies followed by the implantation of an artificial lens in the posterior chamber of the eye, all under general anaesthetic.

As a result of the expert work of the team, both girls' sight was fully restored. For Alice and Joan, this meant not only a new life full of possibilities, but also a huge relief for their families and the whole community.

With their sight successfully restored, both girls returned home happy and independent. The joy and gratitude felt by them and their families was overwhelming and a moving testament to the impact of such outreach projects.

The Tari project is a prime example to the successful collaboration between Dr Amyna Sultan and her team at LAILA Foundation/Pacific International Hospital, Santos, Dr James Kintwa/CEO of Hela PHA and his dedicated team as well as Drs Magdalene Mangot and Waimbe Wahamu and team from PNG National Department of Health. It has shown that with dedication, expertise and human warmth, great change is possible. Not only was sight restored, but new hope was also brought to the hearts of the people in Tari.

Hope and healing for children born with cataract