More than 3,000 patients in the Tigray region are poised to receive sight-saving glaucoma treatment through a collaborative effort of the Tigray Region Interim Administration Health Bureau, Kuha Hospital, and the Himalayan Cataract Project, an NGO.

Himalayan Cataract project Coordinator, Tesfay Teklamariam told ENA that the institutions will be providing glaucoma treatment in different areas of the region.

Since March 11, 2024, over 800 patients in the southern zone have already benefited from the program at Lemlem Karl Hospital Maichew, he revealed.

“Our people deserve to see,” said Tesfay, emphasizing their commitment to expanding the program across the Tigray region.

Lemlem Karl Hospital Maichew Cataract Surgeon, Yemane Gitet assured treated patients of continued follow-up care.

The restored vision of patients like 72-year-old Hiluf Gebremedhin from Hadnet Kebele exemplifies the program’s life-changing impact.

Hiluf has expressed excitement after he regained his eyesight following the free treatment.

Debesay Teka and Zewdu Kalayu from Endamekoni district, who had resigned themselves to blindness for two years, expressed their renewed hope of resuming their agricultural work independently.

This initiative marks a significant step towards ensuring treatable eye diseases do not cause preventable blindness.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Dr Donald Agumenu, a leadership and management expert, has described the internet blackout experienced in parts of the African continent as ‘suspicious threat to its trade and democracy’.

He said it was unfortunate that major trading blocs in Africa were hit by the cyber storm, disrupting trading activities.

Dr Agumenu said it was also worrying that it occurred when some of those countries were seriously preparing for elections.

He said the excuse for an undersea cable disruption should not be taken lightly, saying, there were more to it from a geo-cyberpolitical perspective that needed to be explored to its logical conclusion.

‘Africa may experience a more complex internet and cyber warfare if the techno-revolutionary narrative remains the same. What is more worrying is the level of vulnerability it brings to a continent with over half a billion people online.’

‘We need to wake up to the fact that the era of ICT and digital transformation has ushered in a new community with its own complexities and that
we need to manage this paradigm shift with the utmost care to stay afloat in global affairs,’ he cautioned.

In a news brief, Dr Agumenu said the continent may experience a more complex internet and cyber warfare if its techno-revolutionary narrative remained the same.

He said any continent or country that did not have absolute control over its cyber and internet architecture was exposed to serious security threats with devastating consequences.

‘Our independence will be meaningless if our cyber security is controlled by others. This affects not only public and private business but also our dignity and privacy as a people,’ he added.

Dr Agumenu said as Ghana prepared for a historic election in less than a year, the issue must be given top priority to protect the sovereign will of the people and deepen its democracy.

He stressed that innovations should be prioritised along with transparency to track free and fair elections, especially at a time when widespread unstable power supply was imminent.

Source:
Ghana News Agency