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thousand cataract operations project initiated by John Keells Group
has saved the eyes of many needy patients "I do the cleaning, canteen work and a lot of other work," Bridget said. She starts work at 7.30 a.m. and finishes at 6 p.m, cooking lunch for the family before she leaves in the morning. It is a hard life for Bridget, who also suffers from asthma. But she was fortunate to benefit from the thousand cataract operations programme undertaken by the John Keells Group as their Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR) project. The base hospitals of nine provinces where surgical infrastructure is available have been identified and the project has begun in Avissawella and Matale, with the most deserving candidates, like Bridget selected by the doctors at the hospitals. At the Avissawella Base Hospital, where the project was launched, thirty operations have been done since June 29, said Consultant Eye Surgeon Dr. Nalin Rajakaruna. Another batch of ten patients are awaiting surgery. Dr. Rajakaruna explained that when a patient has been diagnosed with cataract, the lenses have to be purchased by the patient.There are many patients who cannot afford this and the most needy are selected for this project. "The first signs of my problem were when I felt like a net over my eye," Bridget recalled. "I found it difficult to read. Then my eyes started hurting.When I first went to see a doctor, I was told there was nothing wrong. However, I had headaches and I went to see Dr. Rajakaruna at the Avissawella hospital who told me I had a cataract." When the doctor said it was essential to have a cataract operation, Bridget did not know what to do. She tried to get a letter from the doctor so that she could appeal for donations to buy the lens. However, when he then offered her the lens through the Keells project, she was relieved and thankful. Being daily paid, Bridget finds it exceedingly difficult to manage during her period of recovery having to also find money for her asthma medication, which she no longer receives free from the clinic. She says she has also finished the eyedrops she was given and has no money to purchase another bottle until she starts earning again. "I went to see the doctor and he advised me not to go to work for at least a month. There is a small shop near my workplace. I get foodstuffs on credit to be paid when I go back to work." Bridget says she has to go back to her work since she needs to earn a living. She has appealed to the Social Services Department for a sewing machine, so that she could sew at home. "I can sew baby suits and so on and sell to traders and the girls at the garment factory." Valliamma, 65, at Yatiyantota has also benefited from the cataract project. Living with her two daughters, she looks after five small grandchildren. Her husband left her twenty years ago. Her three daughters too have been abandoned by their husbands. Valliamma receives provisions to the value of Rs. 250 from Samurdhi and Rs. 100 from Social Services. They often have no money to buy milk for her youngest grandchild, just 15 months old. Valliamma, who has suffered from cataract for about one year could not afford the lens and is happy to have received it free. She says her second eye also needs to be done at sometime. "I can now see well at close range but still have problems with distant vision," Valliamma said. Y.K. Piyatissa, a casual labourer of 45 years, was operated in June and has now gone back to work. Sopi Nona, who is 85 years is also happy after her surgery, although she said her other eye also needs to be done. "The doctor told me to bathe daily, eat well and come back if I have any problem," Sopi Nona said. These are a few of the beneficiaries of the '1000 Cataract Operations' project. Yukthi Gunaskera, Head of Corporate Communications at John Keells, said they are now looking at aftercare of the patients, including the provision of spectacles to those who need them. The cataract operations project is part of a larger programme of Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR), said Lalith Ramanayake, Managing Director of John Keells. Although, the group has been involved in various projects over the years, it had not been a coordinated effort, he says. In October 2003, a ten-member CSR working committee had been formed, with members from various companies within the group. "We discussed various initiatives as to how we could make a difference," Mr. Ramanayake said. For the year 2004/2005, three key areas were identified. "Under these areas of education, health and environment, we focused on what we could do to make the difference," he said. Under education, projects include developing basic infrastructure such as water and sanitation for 34 schools for the current financial year. Schools in close proximity to their business units have been selected. Three schools in Slave Island have been helped. Providing English scholarships at Gateway Institute and propagating IT literacy by setting up kiosks in the universities are also within this programme. "In the area of environment, we start by looking at our own backyard," Mr. Ramanayake said. They plan to work with the community and work towards improving the environment in their own neighbourhood. Two employees have been assigned to maintain the Slave Island railway station. The ultimate aim of the CSR project is to live up to the motto they adopted,' Touching the lives of people' in order to make a difference. |
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