By V. Sivaji

The Cataract Surgery Carnival 2024 (CARE’ 24) organized by the Ophthalmology Department of the Penang General Hospital will be held from August 2 to 4, 2024.

The event is supported by two partners, namely, the Buddhist Tzu Chi Merits Society Malaysia and MasMeyer Foundation. 

The programme hopes to clear some 300 cataract cases from the underprivileged community here. They are mainly from the poor and neglected community (PeKA B40) and senior citizens from nursing homes.

According to Tzu Chi Penang commissioner, Dato Khoo Boo Leong, these cases are those who cannot even pay for the lens replacement which costs from RM600 to RM800 each.

“We are allocating some RM200,000 for this community project so that these backlog cases can be cleared and more importantly give clear vision to these people.

“We also hope to make it an annual event as eyesight is a basic necessity for any human being”, said Khoo.

Representing the GH Ophthalmology Department is its head Dr Ang Ee Ling and her able team.

Kudos to the Buddhist Tzu Chi Merits Society Malaysia, MasMeyer Foundation and GH Ophthalmology Department for their commendable gesture.