Lions conduct mobile clinic in Chitipa District

Chitipa Lions Club in partnership with Chitipa District Hospital on Saturday organised a mobile clinic where activities included testing for diabetes, checking eye problems and screening cancer in children.

Speaking during the exercise, Chitipa Lions Club president Sydney Simwaka said they wanted to reach out to people who could not afford to buy eye glasses and also assist those with diabetes and cancer.

“We are pleased with the turnout as a lot of people got tested for diabetes and their eye-sight,” he said.

Chitipa District Hospital ophthalmologist Clement Tembo said the exercise was an opportunity for the hospital as they identified people with diabetes and eye problems.

“We have identified one person with trachoma and has been referred to Karonga District Hospital for treatment. And most of the eye problems we identified are cataracts and we will do surgery at Chitipa District Hospital. Others were just given glasses for reading and glasses that would aid seeing from far,” he said.

A participant, Joseph Sibale of Ishalikila Village in Traditional Authority Mwabulambya, was excited to receive eye glasses, saying previously he was failing to see from a long distance.

“I am now able to see far with the aid of the glasses. I thank Chitipa Lions Clubs and the hospital for the exercise,” he said.

At least 200 people attended the mobile clinic.

Lions Club globally designates October and November as awareness months for ailments like poor eye-sight, diabetes and cancer.