By George M.O. Williams
FREETOWN – June 9, 2026: The Choithram Memorial Hospital in collaboration with the Ministry of Health has successfully concluded its 2026 free cataract surgery campaign, restoring sight to 1,678 patients in just two months and setting a new benchmark for eye care delivery in Sierra Leone.
Running from April 13 to June 9, the initiative brought together local and international specialists in a collaborative effort that transformed lives across Sierra Leone and neighbouring countries.
Head of the Choithram Group, Harish Agnani, announced at the closing ceremony that the hospital exceeded its minimum target of 1,550 surgeries.
“Last year we performed 1,542 operations in four months. This year, we surpassed that in only two months, completing 1,678 successful cataract surgeries,” he said.
More than 6,000 patients from Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia were screened during the campaign, with those requiring surgery receiving free treatment.
To meet demand, Choithram constructed an additional operating theatre dedicated to eye surgeries, bringing the total to four. Up to 50 cataract operations were performed daily while routine hospital services continued uninterrupted.
Seven nurses and technicians trained in India became the backbone of the campaign, enabling efficiency and high-quality care. Agnani estimated the surgeries would have cost over US$600,000 abroad, with combined investments from last year and this year exceeding US$1.2 million.
Consultant Ophthalmologist Dr. Lloyd Harrisson-Williams commended the quality of surgeries, stressing that Sierra Leoneans deserve world-class outcomes. He urged patients to adhere to medications and follow-up visits to safeguard their vision.
Programme Manager Dr. John Mattia described the campaign as unprecedented:
“Cataract remains one of the leading causes of blindness in Sierra Leone, yet it is entirely treatable. Programmes like this are restoring sight, transforming lives, and boosting productivity.”
The campaign was supported by Choithram Netralaya, the Choithram International Foundation, Noor Dubai, and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. International volunteer specialists from India worked alongside local teams, ensuring outreach reached even remote communities.
Health officials and stakeholders are already planning next year’s initiative, with discussions underway to expand surgical numbers and strengthen local capacity further.
For the nearly 1,700 beneficiaries, the campaign represents more than restored sight — it signifies renewed independence, productivity, and hope.