Gansu cataract patients get free operations from Eye-Train

Medical staff helps cataract patients board Lifeline Express in Longxi county, Gansu, on Oct 21. [Photo/xinhuanet.com]

Lifeline Express provided free cataract operations for several patients in Longxi county, Gansu province in late October.

So far, 6,748 impoverished patients in Northwest China's Gansu province have received operations. The medical personnel of Traditional Chinese Ophthalmology, located in Beijing performed operations in Longxi.

The medical staff speaks with cataract patients in the Lifeline Express. [Photo/xinhuanet.com]

According to China's Ministry of Health, China has approximately 4 million cataract victims, with 500,000 new cases each year. Poor patients cannot get proper treatment due to limited access to health care.

By the end of 2014, the four Eye-Trains had helped approximately 160,000 impoverished patients and have served 142 stations in 27 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions.

Doctor from Lifeline Express visits cataract patients in Longxi county.[Photo/xinhuanet.com]

Related Information

Lifeline Express Hospital Eye-Train (the Eye-Train) started in 1997 to provide free operations to cataract victims in poor areas. It is supported by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Railways and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office in mainland China.

Eye-Trains are equipped with the latest medical equipment and eye care technology. Each four- compartment Eye-Train consists of a consultation clinic, a sanitization room, two operating theatres, and a recovery room with beds for patients.

Edited by Andrew Ancheta