Chinese gov't to set up eye center in Hulhumalé Hospital

The government of China is set to open up an eye center at the Hulhumalé Hospital, within this ongoing month.

Ambassador of China to the Maldives, Zhang Lizhong made the reveal via Twitter on Thursday.

In his Twitter post, Ambassador Lizhong revealed that the Chinese medical team assigned to prepare for the set-up of the eye center will be led by Dr. Chen Weirong, an internationally recognized eye care specialist who has been practicing ophthalmology for 30 years and having performed over 100,000 operations throughout her career.

While the center is the first of its kind in the Maldives, it is fully funded and supported by the Chinese government and will open its doors for services by mid-January. The center specializes in eye care services and diagnosis including glaucoma, cataracts, ocular surface disease, vitreous and retinal diseases as well as refractive errors.

Dr. Chen revealed that some from the Chinese medical team will stay back in Maldives to conduct service for locals after setting up the eye center.

She further revealed that training will begin in the near future, adding that on-site trainings will be conducted alongside training programs in the Zhongshan eye center. The training plan also includes internet ophthalmic service for consultations, revealed the Chinese doctor.

Speaking regarding the services made available at the center, the doctor revealed that the Chinese government has donated ophthalmic surgical and examination instruments, medical consumables as well as ophthalmic medicines for clients.

The doctor added that they will be promoting eye care to the public, having prepared pamphlets revolving around various kinds of eye disease prevention methods and plans.

It has also been revealed that they will explore other options to cooperate with the Ministry of Health in order to provide more for the people of Maldives.