In Thailand, Adventist university hosts mobile eye surgery clinic

February 10, 2015 | Muak Lek, Saraburi, Thailand | Kannika Seesookphu and Patthita Chotwittayagan

In Thailand, volunteer ophthalmologists from Saraburi province’s Red Cross came to Asia-Pacific International University in Muak Lek last week to provide free eye surgeries for underprivileged elderly from surrounding districts. Phan Wannamethee, secretary general of the Thai Red Cross of Thailand, also attended the five-day event. Image courtesy APIU

A Seventh-day Adventist university in Thailand recently hosted a group of volunteer ophthalmologists who offered free eye care for more than 250 nearby elderly residents in need.

The Church’s Asia-Pacific International University in the Saraburi province hosted the Mobile Eye Surgery Eye Clinic, sponsored by the province’s Red Cross Society February 2 to 6.

Patients were diagnosed with cases of cataract, pterygium, and other eye-related conditions. The surgeries for most cases took five to 10 minutes to complete, while more challenging cases took up to an hour.

The mobile clinic was set up in various spots around campus, including a multi-use room, the dining room and the church parking lot.

The clinic served underprivileged elderly from five districts—Muak Lek, Nhong Kae, Khaeng Koi, Wihan Dang and Wang Muang.

The program was also supported by Dr. Varangkna Tongkamsai, an ophthalmologist for Nations Relief and Community Health Protection Society, who conducted the eye operations.

Organizers said the highlight of the five-day event was a February 4 appearance by Phan Wannamethee, secretary general of the Thai Red Cross Society and a representative of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Executive Vice-President of the Thai Red Cross Society.

University President Loren Agrey accompanied Wannamethee as he observed the different functions of the mobile clinic.

Saraburi Governor Wichian Puttiwinyu also attended the event, delivering remarks at the opening ceremony on February 2.

“We praise God for an opportunity to take part in this project,” said Diana Riesenberger, a university spokeswoman.

The Princess Sirindhorn Mobile Eye Surgery Clinic was established in 1995 to commemorate Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s 40th Birthday. The project has advanced to be a surgical mobile unit to provide free eye treatment for people with cataracts, glaucoma and disease of eyelids. So far the project has provided treatment for more than 158,000 people and performed operations for 40,000 patients.