By Amin Kef (Ranger)
A major humanitarian initiative is set to commence today, March 21, 2025, at Choithram Memorial Hospital, where a free pediatric surgery camp will provide life-changing medical interventions for children under fifteen suffering from treatable conditions. This transformative program, organized in collaboration with the Bintumani Association and supported by a distinguished team of German surgeons, will run until April 4, 2025. It offers a vital opportunity for families who otherwise could not afford the necessary surgeries to restore their children’s health and well-being.
The initiative will cover surgical procedures for conditions such as neck fistulas, cysts, soft tissue tumors, hernias, undescended testes and congenital urogenital and gastrointestinal abnormalities, offering a new lease on life to affected children. Registration for the program began on February 24, 2025 and has witnessed an overwhelming response from parents and guardians eager to secure treatment for their children. Screenings were conducted at designated centers and eligible cases referred to Choithram Memorial Hospital for surgery. However, conditions such as hydrocephalus, myelomeningoceles, clubfoot and cleft lip and palate will not be covered under this year’s program.
The initiative’s success has been made possible through the tireless efforts of Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Germany, H.E. Dr. M. L. Baryoh, whose pivotal role in securing the partnership with the German medical team has been widely acknowledged.
Meanwhile, another groundbreaking medical outreach program continues to change lives at Choithram Memorial Hospital, where a free cataract surgery camp has been in full operation since March 15, 2025. This initiative, spearheaded in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and esteemed international medical organizations, is dedicated to restoring vision to thousands of visually impaired individuals across Sierra Leone. Scheduled to run until July 15, 2025, the program is providing world-class ophthalmic care at no cost, significantly reducing the burden of preventable blindness in the country.
Extensive planning has ensured that the initiative remains accessible to communities across Sierra Leone, with the country divided into four operational zones and screenings conducted at district hospitals. With support from Choithram Netralaya in India, Noor Dubai under the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and the Choithram International Foundation, the program guarantees surgical interventions of the highest quality. Supervised by the National Eye Health Program Manager, the initiative integrates a three-stage screening process, which includes preliminary assessments by district eye specialists, remote telemedicine evaluations by ophthalmologists at Choithram Memorial Hospital and final selections for surgeries conducted by expert ophthalmic surgeons in Freetown.
To eliminate logistical barriers, Choithram Memorial Hospital has ensured that all patients traveling from the provinces receive full coverage for transportation, accommodation and daily allowances during their three-day stay. A structured post-operative care system has been established at district hospitals, where free medication is provided to support full recovery. Beyond direct patient care, the initiative is enhancing Sierra Leone’s medical infrastructure by training local healthcare professionals in advanced ophthalmic techniques and acquiring state-of-the-art surgical equipment, including high-precision operating microscopes and Phacoemulsification machines.
Harish Agnani, Chief Administrator of the Choithram Group, reaffirmed the hospital’s unwavering commitment to making quality healthcare accessible to all. Highlighting the significance of these initiatives, he emphasized their role in bridging the gap in medical accessibility and serving as a beacon of hope for underserved communities.
These humanitarian healthcare initiatives stand as a testament to the power of strategic collaboration and compassionate outreach. They mark a defining moment in Sierra Leone’s healthcare landscape, paving the way for a future where quality medical services are accessible to those who need them most.
