01 Oct 2025

In an act of community care and international solidarity, the Kerala Samajam Botswana (KSB) in collaboration with Medlane Clinic has launched a life-changing cataract surgery programme aimed at restoring the vision of elderly and visually impaired individuals in the Nata-Gweta constituency.

Speaking in a media brief recently, High Commissioner of India to Botswana, Mr Bharath Kumar Kuthati said the cataract surgery initiative highlighted how partnerships between local communities, health institutions and well-wishers could make a tangible difference in the lives of the people.

“Cataract, as we all know, is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness and addressing it not only restores sight, but also restores dignity, independence and quality of life,” he said.

Nata Gweta MP, Mr Lawrence Ookeditse said he was pained by the fact that in almost every village in his constituency, he encountered blind or partially blind or visually impaired people.

“A lot of them are elders, and were not given as much attention as they should and I made a promise that one of the first things that I am going to do, is ensure that we handle the whole issue of preventable blindness,” he said.

Mr Ookeditse who is also Assistant Minister of Health, explained that the eye operation meant that people would not only be able to see, it rendered them economically productive and also improved their social life aspects.

“Being blind means that there has to be a caregiver who is constantly there 24 hours a day. In many instances, in these villages and settlements, you find that children of those that are virtually impaired cannot go out to find work, they basically depend on social security which is not given to them, but given to the victim,” he said.

Mr Ookeditse therefore thanked all involved in the process, adding that he would like for it to expand to other constituencies. He indicated that the initiative was expected to assist 50 families, with the screening of patients scheduled for October 4 to 5, followed by the surgeries on October 10 to 11.

Mr Ookeditse revealed that the surgeries would be performed here in Gaborone, at Medlane, a top-notch private clinic. Furthermore, he said the clinic would take care of the travelling costs of patients from Nata/Gweta to Gaborone, accommodation as well as the after surgery care. “Patients will also bring their personal care giver,” he said.

President of KSB, Mr Jofy Antony reflected on the organisation’s long-standing commitment to charitable work saying, "over the years, we have carried out various charitable activities, we distributed food, clothes, toys, and sanitary pads to villages, but today’s project is something very close to our heart, restoring the vision of those suffering from cataract.”

He said despite the distance, they were committed to reaching out, saying restoring someone’s sight meant giving them the ability to live independently. ENDS