Since the year 2000 eye doctors from Sweden have worked at Sabatia for periods of 4-10 weeks. Seven ophthalmologists have visited at ten occasions at different times during these six years. We have all worked at a voluntary base with the excellent help from Rotary Doctor Bank in Sweden. The Doctor Bank assists with the tickets and the coordinator Mrs. Gorel Wilson in Nairobi arranges with all the necessary paperwork.
The first visit was arranged through Dr. Sture Nyholm and his wife Eunice. I
had met Dr. Sture during his ophthalmology training at the hospital in Sweden
where I work. The first week was a sponsored week with "free surgery"
which gave me a flying start. Almost 100 patients were admitted and operated
during four days. Mainly patients with a history of years of blindness due to
bilateral mature cataracts a non existing phenomenon in Sweden.
During these visits all of us have been helped to "convert back" to
the ECCE technique of cataract surgery. Some of us have used the Phaco machine,
which Sabatia got in the year 2003, in selected cases. With the dens cataracts I'm
still in no doubt the ECCE in most cases is preferable to the Phaco technique,
still it is good to have the possibility to use it when needed.
We have been involved in supervising young training clinical officers and visiting
training ophthalmologist from Kenyatta Hospital, Nairobi. I especially remember
Dr. Henry Nkube year 2000, he is now working with CBM in Tanzania, and Rono
2002 who is still working at the hospital and a very skilled surgeon. To be
involved in the training of new eye care staff gives hope for a long lasting effect
of better ophthalmologic service to people living in Africa.
My subspecialty is paediatric ophthalmology. Therefore I have appreciated the
opportunity to visit the blind schools. I also met Petra Verweyen year 2000
at the time the project director for the low vision Project Kenya. It makes
me happy to see that children with visual handicap are screened, treated and
educated in an adequate way inspite of the limited resources. The children who
get the opportunity to get help and advice from the low vision team are in very
good hands.
During my second visit to Sabatia 2002 the president of Rotary Doctors Sweden
Mr. Akesson visited Sabatia. We then started to plan for a continuation of Swedish
ophthalmologists coming to Sabatia. Through the Swedish Ophthalmology society
I have recruited doctors interested to work in Kenya.
Six ophthalmologists have visited Sabatia, Dr. Arne Ohrstrom and Dr. Sven Redin,
Dr. Ann Maker, Dr. Anders Ohrstrom, Dr. Ingrid Schlyter and Dr. Charlotta Zetterstrom.
I know I can talk for all of us in expressing how very privileged and thankful
we are to get the opportunity to learn so much about the people, the culture
and the ophthalmologic problems of the people in Kenya. We are grateful to CBM
giving us the opportunity to work at a well functioning eye hospital in this
dense populated part of the world and to the staff at Sabatia assisting us in
every way. We are grateful to Rotary doctors giving us the financial support
and help with the formal paperwork. We are also very grateful to Dr. Nyholm,
his wife Eunice and all the staff at Sabatia. The way they all have helped us
is the main reason that makes it possible for us to do a good job
at the hospital.
Now the new management with Dr. Demissie is continuing this job and I will do
my best to recruit more swedish doctors for short term voluntary work at this
beautiful and well functioning Hospital.
Dr. Ulrika.