Volunteer ophthalmologists, Dr. Gülşen Dikmen and Dr. Cavid Allahverdiyev from Azerbaijan, have traveled to Ethiopia through the European Orphan Hand organization to provide life-changing cataract surgeries to hundreds of people in need.

The European Orphan Hand, a humanitarian aid group, works in impoverished communities around the world, offering food, water wells, financial assistance, clothing, and now, critical medical care.

Dr. Dikmen highlighted the overwhelming number of patients requiring surgery. "The financial aid we can collect is insufficient," she said. "There are more than a thousand people waiting for help. We will only be able to help 200 people here, and among them are children in very poor condition who cannot afford even simple surgeries."

She pleaded for further support, stating: "There are diseases much worse than cataracts in children, diseases that can cost a child's life. They cannot access treatment. We will do everything we can, but we still fall short. If there are people who want to help, please contact the European Orphan Hand."

Dr. Allahverdiyev echoed these sentiments, expressing gratitude to the organization for facilitating their mission. "Those who want to help can contact the European Orphan Hand and help more people," he said. "Inshallah, we will help many more people as long as we are here."

This initiative by the European Orphan Hand and Azerbaijani volunteer doctors offers a glimmer of hope for hundreds of Ethiopians struggling with vision problems. However, their limited resources call for additional support to address the vast unmet medical needs in the region. (ILKHA)