
24/09/2024
A Successful Cataract Surgery Journey
In September, when nights stretch longer than days, I found solace in restful sleep. Waking at 5 AM to the cheerful chirping of birds, I prepared for a day filled with purpose. By 6 AM, I was on my way to the operating room, ready for a day of transforming lives through cataract surgery.
After a long day, the surgeries wrapped up around 2 PM. I drove home, reflecting on the day’s work. As I settled in, I opened my phone and connected to Wi-Fi. My WhatsApp was flooded with messages, but one stood out: a heartfelt note from a patient in America.
This patient had been diagnosed with mature senile cataract, but the waiting list was long, and he was willing to wait. However, he decided to visit our clinic, Al Ihsan Eye Clinic, during his summer vacation in Hargeisa, Somaliland. After a thorough examination, I performed the cataract surgery on him. The procedure was successful, and his vision was restored.
Once back in America, he experienced some itching and tearing in his eye, prompting him to visit his local ophthalmologist. After exchanging greetings, she examined his eyes and was impressed by the quality of the surgery performed in East Africa.
Later, he sent me a message expressing his gratitude: "Thank you, Dr. Sayid Ali Fathi, for your humble respect and joyful treatment. I appreciate you and your nurses for the professional care I received in such a short time. I'm sorry I couldn't meet you while I was in Hargeisa, but I am grateful to you again and again."
Stories like this remind me of the impact we can have on our patients' lives, bridging distances and making a difference in their health and well-being.