Dili, October 11, 2024 (Média Democracia) – The Eye Health Center at the Guido Valadares National Hospital (HNGV) from January to September recorded a total of more than 9 thousand eye patients, 15 of whom were in transfer abroad and 10 are currently pending.
According to the Head of the Eye Health Center of the HNGV, Valentino A.do E. Santos, from January to September this year, more than 9 thousand patients have sought eye health treatment, and 15 were patients that transfer for treatment abroad and 10 were still in Timor Leste.
“Patients who have been treated at the HNGV eye health center are more than 9 thousand and we refer them abroad, from January to September there were 15 patients with very large costs. Currently there are still 10 patients who are still pending because our hospital has no arrears so they are still pending,” said Valentino A.do E. Santos.
He continued, patients who are referred abroad because they have eye diseases that require treatment, must present to the joint medical department every week how to send patients abroad.
“The patients we refer abroad are due to their eye disease and every week we always make a presentation to the medical department to send patients for treatment abroad,” he said.
He added that every week sometimes transfers two or four patients to Singapore and Malaysia at great expense for the sake of patient safety.
“The cost of patients sent abroad for treatment can reach 300 million USD each, if the patient is treated in the hospital for a week or a month then the expenses will certainly be very large,” he said.
He continued, almost all eye disease patients have retinopathy and diabetes, that is why there is no special equipment, so currently a way is being sought so that next year it can be included in the plan.
“The most cases are retinopathy and diabetes, because we do not have special equipment, so now we have to find a solution to include it in the 2025 funding plan because the proposal has been submitted to HNGV, we are sure that in 2025 there will be a solution to reduce this disease.” He added.
He said that patients who suffer from eye diseases are mostly aged 20 years and above because they have cataract problems or reflection errors, including children.
“Patients with medical ages such as 20 to 40 years old, even some are 60 years old and above, but with cataract problems or refractive disorders do not use glasses, if their age is above that they must use glasses to write, read and so on, that’s why children are also included in the category of refractive disorders.” He said.
He informed that sometimes students experience problems with their grades so that teachers and parents give punishments, but currently they are still in the identification stage for children who experience eye problems.
“Bad grades, teachers and parents give punishment, but we have to do research for schools to identify anyone who has eye problems, early treatment can be done, the cause of eye disease is multifactorial, it can be due to rust, it can also be due to retinopathy and diabetes, it can endanger our lives, especially children,” he informed.
It should be noted that parents who provide electronic goods such as laptops, computers, mobile phones, etc., and do not use anti-radiation protection for the eyes can affected to their eyes. In addition, it is also appealed to all parties to keep children away from electronic goods so as to reduce the risk of eye disorders due to technology.
Reported by : Nelfiano
Photo : Nelfiano