Dr. Georgette Osei Kontoh, ophthalmology specialist at Tetteh Quarshie Hospital, has a passion for providing quality eye care for the hundreds of patients who come to her clinic each day. Thanks to a donation of new equipment from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the job of providing those patients with clear vision has improved dramatically.
“We will see more patients and give them treatment by the end of the day.” replied Dr. Kontoh when asked what the donation means to the patients she sees. “We will provide a better diagnosis without referring patients to an outside source. They can be cared for in one day, instead of a week or more.”
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The Church’s humanitarian arm, LDS Charities, provides equipment, supplies, and organizational support to eye care professionals throughout the world.
Vision Care is one of LDS Charities major initiatives. It's mission is to prevent avoidable blindness and visual impairment, as well as strengthen eye care services to the needy, by mentoring vision professionals who work in health care organizations. Almost 100,000 patients were served in 2016.
Dr. Jesse Hunsaker, vision specialist for LDS Charities set up the new equipment and trained the hospital staff in its use. Dr. Hunsaker and his wife Diane, complete between six to eight vision care projects per year.
“We have been doing projects throughout central Africa for 11 years.” said Dr. Hunsaker. “It is a pleasure to work with Dr. Kontoh, this hospital and Ghana Health Service. They understand we are here to serve the needy and they welcome the help LDS Charities provides.”
Dr. Albert Y. Benneh, Medical Superintendent of Ghana Health Service reported that 1% of the population of Ghana is blind, 54% suffer from cataracts and 20% are affected with glaucoma. “This equipment will help us diagnose and treat this large group of people.” he said.
Referring to LDS Charities, he added, “You have invested in our country and we will always remember the kindness and generosity you share.”
Today there are less than 300 eye care professionals taking care of the eye needs of over 29 million Ghanaians.
Dr. Benneh and Micah Asare Bediako, Eastern Regional Director of Ghana Health Service, represented the government when the equipment was officially presented to the hospital.
“I have experienced the benevolence of Latter-day Saints,” said Mr. Bediako. “You not only go about preaching the word of God, but you follow what He has taught by helping those in need. Thank you. We are aware of the good you do in Ghana.”