New portable operating microscope for better eye care |08 May 2014

Patients visiting the eye clinics in Seychelles are expected to have a much better service with the addition of a mobile ophthalmic portable operating microscope.

The piece of equipment is a donation of the Dhevatara Beach Hotel on Praslin and it was presented to Health Care Agency deputy chief executive Dr Danny Louange by Dhevatara Beach Hotel general manager Kirstin Partridge in a short ceremony yesterday afternoon at the Seychelles Hospital.

Health Minister Mitcy Larue, her principal secretary Peggy Vidot, Public Health Commissioner Jude Gedeon, Grand Anse Praslin’s member of the National Assembly Marc Volcère,  Dhevatara Properties’ hospitality and marketing manager Catherine Horner, community health services director Nicholas Shamlaye, and hospital service director Dr Lawrence Reginald were present at the ceremony.

Ms Partridge said she was very happy to hand over the equipment to the Ministry of Health and contribute towards a better health for the people of Seychelles.

On behalf of the Ministry of Health and the Health Care Agency, Dr Louange expressed the ministry’s pleasure of having such a piece of equipment in their possession and highlighted its need, saying it will ease the service of the Eye Clinic as there are many factors causing blindness nowadays citing examples like ageing, diabetes, high blood pressure to name some.

He noted that Seychelles has not been spared as there are a lot of these conditions in the local population.

Dr Louange said the piece of equipment will enhance the ministry’s services in that aspect and will be used in eye surgeries not only on Mahé but also on Praslin and La Digue where there is also an increase in the number of eye problem cases. He said as the equipment is portable and can fit in a briefcase, it will be very convenient to be transported around.

Dr Louange also thanked MNA Volcère for easing the process to have the equipment and described it as a good example where the community gets involved and come into partnership with the ministry to make things happen.