The China Merchants Charitable Foundation (CMCF), under the China Merchants Group (CMG), has donated 150 foldable hydrophobic single piece/multi-piece intraocular lenses and cartridges to Sri Lanka's health sector in order to pave way for 150 cataract surgeries to be performed to the country's needy.
The project, titled "C Blue restore Sight Project," is one of the CMCF's global projects in spheres such as health, education, poverty alleviation and environment.
The consignment, valued at 60,000 U.S. dollars, will be supported by the services of two international doctors who will assist the surgeons of the National Eye Hospital in Colombo to conduct the surgeries via a charity camp.
In an event which marked the signing of an MoU between the CMCF and the Sri Lanka College of Ophthalmologists in the capital on Tuesday, Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said that the prevalence of blindness due to the onset of cataract was a major health issue in any part of the world including Sri Lanka.
He said that China had been a close associate and a true friend to Sri Lanka and the donation by CMG would bring the two nations even closer.
"The majority of beneficiaries seeking free intraocular lenses and consumables are of the low income group of wage earners and your generous donation is a blessing," the minister said.
China's ambassador to Sri Lanka, Yi Xianliang, speaking at the ceremony said that the friendship and cooperation between Sri Lanka and China had been strong, and such a donation would further strengthen the close ties shared between the two countries.
"The Chinese government appreciates the efforts taken by Sri Lanka to further strengthen the relationship between both the countries," Yi said.
President of the CMG and Honorary Director of the CMCF Li Xiaopeng said that his organization would initially support 150 cataract extraction surgeries followed by continued attention on improving local eye care services and ophthalmic medical conditions.
"We are willing to make every effort to improve livelihoods for the poor, for people struggling with eye diseases and anyone else in need," he said.
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