Eye care clinic gets aid

DENPASAR, Bali: Bali's Community Eye Care and Blindness Prevention Center has received its final grant from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

The final payment last month brought the agency's financial assistance to the program to a total of A$258,0000, and concluded AusAID's financial commitment to the program.

AusAID helped found the center which is staffed by ophthalmologists and nurses trained in the use of Australian technology.

The Australian embassy said the program has restored sight to more than 7,800 poor people in the mountains and villages of Bali. The majority of people assisted had their sight restored with intraocular lenses implants.

The clinic, located on Jalan Maruti, has screened more than 55,000 people and taken glaucoma preventive measures where necessary. (swe)