Fides Media Living the Faith
By Kizito Umennadi
The Bishop of CADEK, Most Rev Peter Ebere Okpaleke on March 28,2021 Palm Sunday Celebration blessed and commissioned an eye center —- Center For Sight, Africa located at Visitation Hospital, Umuchu, the diocesan front line hospital.
The Bishop who was ably represented by the CADEK Health Coordinator, Very Rev Fr Barnabas Okafor noted that the newly blessed Center For Sight Africa which is one of the major departments within the hospital is being established through the gracious efforts of the CADEK Bishop and a team of medical doctors led by Dr Godwin Okoye(a native of Umuoji),
Dr Dalil (from Cameroon) both working at United States of America,together with diocesean health management body including the management of Visitation Hospital, Umuchu led by Fr Dr Ucheonye Basil with a view to provide the best eye center to cater for people with the most advanced form of eye problems like cataract, cornea, refractive and anterior segment issues that may require best professional medical expertise to correct.
With this important development, patients do not need to travel to calabar,kano or even outside the shores of Nigeria Fr Okafor states but rather they are to visit the center which according to him will be subsided at a good level so much so that the poor will benefit maximally from their services.
It’s to be noted that the first major surgical operation was carried out at the center on Saturday, March 27,2021 where five advanced cataract patients : Michael Ezeanyim (catechist Ss Peter and Paul parish, Umuchu), Madeline Ukaegbu, Simon Ikediobi, Grace Okafor and Marcellinus Ezeoke all underwent a successful surgery.
In appreciation, the Chief Medical Director of Visitation Hospital, Umuchu, Fr Dr Basil Ucheonye noted that ‘we are taking off in a journey that will last for centuries ‘ and for such all necessary foundation work is to expertly executed by him and his team of staffs to ensure a lasting legacy in sustaining the center.
In a separate interview with Maranatha on the ways of preventing cataract among people in our midst,the two doctors, Okoye and Dalil stated that wearing sunglasses to avoid U. V radiation, avoiding eye trauma, control of diabetes where prevalent and general health maintenance is key.
Other highlights at the event include commissioning of the Center and cutting of the tape by Bishop’s delegate, Fr Okafor, blessing of the center and grotto by Regional coordinator of Achina Region, CADEK, Very Rev Fr Ignatius Ezeakachaa, Speeches by family members of Dr Godwin Okoye from Umuoji, refreshments, group photograph amongst others