SAFARI BUTA MAY 2010 by Dr Ngona Listo MBCh(UNIKIN), M.Med Ophthl (U.O.N) CNOM 3996 MEDECIN OPHTALMOLOGUE/RDC

INTRODUCTION Buta is a town in the northern Democratic Republic of Congo, lying on the Itimbiri river and headquarters of the Bas-Uele District. As of 2009 it had an estimated population of 50,130 but during our outreach the population came from the all Bas-Uele District. Buta has an airport and lies on the defunct narrow gauge railway from Bumba to Isiro. In early 2005 the town was the center of an outbreak of pulmonary plague. Buta district is an onchocerchiasis endemic area, but fortunately there is TIDC UELE lead by Dr TEPAGE. We greatly thank Dr TEPAGE chief of health Buta district, Dr Mike Upio CME executive director, Dr Apalata chief of Buta health zone, Dr Ben, Reverand Kumboyo and Mr Nzagba CBCN medical coordinator for their assistance which contributed to our transport and accommodation in Buta and the facilitation of our work there.

Activities in Buta Dr Ngona at middle between Dr TEPAGE chief BUTA district health at right and Dr Apalata chief zone health BUTA at left BUTA REFERAL HOSPITAL

Activities in Buta I am doing outpatient consultation with direct ophthalmoscope Patients waiting to be seen by EYE DOCTOR

Activities in BUTA Patient blind with bilateral cataract in BUTA district before surgery. Patient recovered sight after cataract surgery and expresses happiness

Activities in Buta Patient blind with cataract surgery before surgery. Patient with recovered sight after cataract surgery expresses happiness.

Activities in BUTA Patient blind with oncocerchose unable to recover the sight. Patient blind with absolute glaucoma unable to recover the sight cries after diagnosis despite counseling. Absolute glaucoma can be avoidable with early diagnosis by surgery(trabeculectomy) and by life long medical treatment.

Activities in BUTA Patients after EYE SURGERY. 159 people received operations

Activities in Buta We are performing EYE SURGERY in BUTA DISTRICT We are performing EYE SURGERY in BUTA DISTRICT.

Activities in Buta Theatre team in Buta I am performing small incision cataract surgery in BUTA district.

Activities in BUTA My assistant nurse Lonema provides eye medicines to the EYE Patients. SOME OF THE 105 PATIENTS WITH RECOVERED SIGHT AFTER CATARACT SURGERY.

STATISTIC REPORT 799 Eye patients had been seen by the eye team. 159 patients underwent EYE SURGERY Among 159 patients 104 patients underwent cataract surgery. The recovery of sight as tested by the visual acuity the first day post op was between 6/9 and 6/ patients underwent trabeculectomy to avoid blindness. 23 patients underwent other EYE SURGERY

OPERATION PROCEDURES MAY 2010 IN BUTA DISTRICT ( DRC ORIENTAL PROVINCE) Below 15yrs Adults above 15yrs. OTHERS With IOL No IOLTotalCat Rel.TrabMinorMajorTPRTOTALS MAY TOTALS Key: No IOL – Cataract surgery Without intraocular lens implantation. With IOL – Cataract surgery With intraocular lens implantation. Cat. Rel. - Cataract Related Operations. TPR - Tarsal Plate Rotation Trab - Trabeculectomy

Conclusion and Recommendations Bunia ophthalmic centre branch of CME Nyankunde continues to cover all Oriental province despite lack of finance resources and lack of accurate Ophthalmic equipment. We implore the government through PNSOV and NGO’s to provide equipment and patient funding which can help us to sustain our service.