Choithram Hospital Plans Free Cataract Surgeries for Up to 3,000 People

Choithram Memorial Hospital has announced plans to provide free cataract surgeries to between 2,500 and 3,000 people in January 2027.

The hospital said the programme is expected to start in mid-January and will be conducted with the help of visiting medical specialists from India. Screening for prospective patients is already underway at the hospital.

People experiencing eye problems have been encouraged to attend the screening. Those identified as requiring surgery are expected to receive treatment from the visiting team.

Paediatric camp completed

The announcement followed the completion of a two-week paediatric surgical camp held from 31 October to 12 November 2026. Harish Agnani, Chief Administrator of Choithram Group, said 150 children were screened during the programme and 73 underwent free operations.

Five additional procedures were carried out on the camp’s final day, according to Agnani. The operations addressed conditions including hernias, hypospadias, congenital abnormalities and soft tissue tumours. Other conditions covered by the programme included abdominal and groin hernias and urethral fistulas in boys following circumcision.

Dr Tilman Gresing, the paediatric surgeon who led the visiting German delegation, described the two-week programme as successful. The delegation also included paediatric surgeon Esther Lau, anaesthetist Kathrin Ruesse and anaesthetic nurse Anka Drebes.

Partnership and local support

The paediatric initiative was conducted through a longstanding partnership between Choithram Memorial Hospital and the Bintumani Association of Germany, with support from Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Germany, Dr Mbaimba Lamin Baryoh.

Dr Gowrinath M. George, the hospital’s Medical Superintendent, said the Bintumani Association covered the visiting doctors’ travel, accommodation and related expenses. Choithram provided local logistics and medical support.

Agnani said the German specialists worked alongside local medical personnel to strengthen their skills and help support follow-up care and procedures within local capabilities after the visiting team returned to Germany.

Beneficiaries of the paediatric programme received screening, investigations, medication, surgery and post-operative care without charge. Agnani said the procedures could otherwise cost about US$2,000 or more, depending on their complexity.

The hospital has said it will continue post-operative support, including medication and dressing where necessary. The planned cataract programme remains an upcoming intervention, and the hospital has not provided an exact start or end date beyond its expectation that it will commence in mid-January 2027.