Elderly poor get free operation

PALU, Central Sulawesi: The local chapter of the Lions Club organized recently a drive to provide free cataract operations for 170 poor senior citizens, Antara reported yesterday.

The drive was held at the Luwuk Hospital and the Banggai Public Hospital in Luwuk, more than 600 kilometers east of Palu, from Nov. 12 to Nov. 15.

Organizer Rizal Tjahyadi said 500 registered for the drive, but most were turned down either because they were not suffering from cataract or because their condition did not yet merit surgery.

Dr Kaharuddin from Luwuk Hospital and three assistants conducted the operation. He said many patients were from remote areas where health care service was often poor. (swe)