The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to support the Eye health care program in PNG and this time through the handing over of vital equipment to the Port Moresby General Hospital Ophthalmology Department to help improve eye health care.
The Assistive Technologies and equipment include non-mydriatic fundus camera (with software and laptop), indirect and direct ophthalmoscope, vision charts as well as pinhole occludes.
Chief Ophthalmologist at PMGH, Dr. Simon Melenges, said diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world and in PNG and is very difficult to treat as people come to the clinic when they are already blind.
“It’s a privilege to receive this very expensive equipment, like the non-mydriatic fundus camera.” “With it we can screen in patients to find early detection of changes in the retina to be able to treat and prevent blindness”.
He further thanked WHO for the ongoing support in eye health care in PNG, adding that the National Prevention of Blindness Committee (PBL) of PNG is the strongest in the Western Pacific region and is well ahead of progress in eye health in the Pacific.