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November 20th, 2018 ― Doha: Qatar Red Crescent Society's (QRCS) medical convoy in Sudan has concluded its activities, with support from Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), the Sudanese Red Crescent Society, the Ministry of Health (MOH), and the National Health Insurance Fund.
Over eight days, the volunteer physicians from QRCS and MOH examined and treated a total of 5,220 patients, including optical examination and distribution of eyeglasses for 783 and 400 cases, respectively.
Also, 383 cataract surgeries were performed, with more 117 surgeries to be performed by the medical staff of the El-Obeid Specialist Eye Hospital, the state of North Kurdufan.
Within two weeks, the 500 cataract patients will revisit the hospital for postprocedural follow-up.
The charitable mission was widely received from the local community in the host and neighboring states. Dozens of poor patients thronged the hospital, some walking as far as 70 km to get a chance of free-of-charge treatment.
The beneficiaries and their families thanked the State of Qatar, QRCS, and its partners for their valuable medical intervention to treat a health problem that would weigh heavily on their lives.
One critical case was an eight-month-old who had a retinal detachment and severe wound in the eye for two days. "We did our best to save the affected eye," said Dr. Omar Al-Qahtani, one of the members of the medical mission. "The 90-minute surgery was performed under general anesthesia. Thank God, we could remedy the eye. We wish the baby a quick recovery".
Another two-year-old was in so bad condition that it required her to be admitted to a better-equipped hospital in Khartoum.
About Qatar Red Crescent (QRCS)
Established in 1978, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) is a humanitarian volunteering organization that aims to assist and empower vulnerable individuals and communities without partiality or discrimination.
QRCS is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which consists of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and 190 National Societies. QRCS is also a member of several GCC, Arab, and Islamic organizations, such as the Islamic Committee of International Crescent and the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization (ARCO). In this legally recognized capacity, QRCS has access to disaster and conflict zones, thus serving as an auxiliary to the State of Qatar in its humanitarian efforts — a role that distinguishes it from other local charities and NGOs.
QRCS operates both locally and internationally and has ongoing international relief and development projects in a number of countries throughout the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe. QRCS's humanitarian actions include providing support in disaster preparedness, disaster response, risk reduction, and disaster recovery. To mitigate the impact of disasters and improve the livelihoods of affected populations, QRCS provides medical services, healthcare, and social development to local communities. It is also active at the humanitarian advocacy front. With the help of a vast network of trained, committed staff and volunteers, QRCS aspires to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity.
QRCS works under the umbrella of the seven international humanitarian principles: Humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.