In a showing of global solidarity and medical expertise, a young Tanzanian girl's life was dramatically changed for the better after a vicious attack by a pack of hyenas. The outreach team from the John A. Moran Eye Center's Global Outreach Division, based at the Benjamin Mkapa Hospital in Dodoma, stepped up to restore vision to the 10-year-old, who had been left with severe injuries and partial blindness.
Dr. H. Joon Kim, an oculoplastic surgeon with the Moran Eye Center, was deeply moved by her young patient's plight. "When I first met her, she was so shy, she didn’t say a word, and she didn’t smile," said Kim, as per At The U. Yet, as the prospects of healing became more tangible, "She was to absolutely look forward to having her injuries repaired" and was even “playing hide and seek with me, and I actually got her to smile.”
The intricate surgeries performed marked a pioneering effort by the Global Outreach Division to provide oculoplastic care in the region. Tanzania, with less than one ophthalmologist per million people, faces stark challenges regarding eye health care. The girl's family embarked on an eight-hour trip to the clinic once they learned about the eye care services offered by Dr. Kim and the outreach team.
Through the generous support of donors, the Division conducts essential work in areas where such specialized care is often inaccessible. Dr. Craig Chaya, the Medical Director, highlighted the scope of the outreach's impact: "We are happy to begin providing oculoplastic care and training in an area where there is so much need for it," as obtained by At The U. Their mission not only involves critical surgeries but also extends to training local health providers.
