Ghanaian builds site for sore eyes

Liaoning graduate returns home to help improve vision health for his compatriots

Nathaniel Yaw Oppong, a Ghanaian national, made the life-changing decision to pursue his studies at He University in Liaoning province in 2017.

Inspired by the exceptional faculty, state-of-the-art teaching facilities and diverse student population, Oppong saw an opportunity to enhance his skills in ophthalmology and make a meaningful impact in his home country.

After completing his studies, he returned to Ghana with a strong determination to help solve vision problems for his countrymen.

Last year, he established the HE-NAT Medical Center in Accra, Ghana's capital, which focuses on providing cataract surgeries to patients. Recognizing the need to raise overall medical standards, he also introduced training programs for local doctors, aiming to enhance their skills and expertise in eye care.

Through these efforts, Oppong envisions a future where excellent eye care services are accessible to all Ghanaians, ultimately alleviating the suffering caused by various eye diseases.

His time at He University provided him with a comprehensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pharmacology, as well as opportunities to develop crucial leadership, communication and teamwork skills.

Liaoning's He University, founded in 1999 by a doctor who studied overseas, is renowned for its integrated platform encompassing medical education, research and industry. Located in the picturesque Qipanshan scenic area in Shenyang, the provincial capital, the college has nearly 20,000 domestic and foreign students.

During his final year at the university, Oppong interned at the renowned He Eye Specialist Hospital, where he gained valuable clinical experience and conducted groundbreaking research.

With a population of nearly 31 million, Ghana faces challenges in addressing vision impairments. Approximately 330,000 Ghanaians suffer from severe visual impairments. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness, affecting 54.8 percent of individuals.

Rural areas, with limited access to technology, transportation and ophthalmic care, are most affected by cataract blindness. Additionally, a considerable number of children and adolescents remain undiagnosed for refractive errors, with over 20 percent of assessed students found to have such errors.

Oppong's experience during his internship and his commitment to serving his fellow Ghanaians paved the way for the establishment of the HE-NAT Medical Center. Upon his graduation last year, he partnered with others to establish the center, aiming to provide timely and high-quality eye care services to individuals residing in remote areas of his country.

To support the center's mission, He Ophthalmology Hospital designated the HE-NAT Medical Center as the university's international telemedicine center in Ghana during the 2023 China-Africa Eye Health Development Forum in August. The Ghanaian branch received a generous donation of an intelligent fundus camera and glasses, tools that are used to diagnose and treat ailments in the rear of the eye.

Furthermore, by leveraging intelligent medical technologies, the internet and big data, the medical center aims to promote myopia control and prevention and diabetes management in Africa. By sharing China's expertise and technology in blindness prevention, the center seeks to enhance digital medical service capabilities across African nations, benefiting a larger demographic.

Equipped with intelligent eye examination equipment provided by the department, Oppong has conducted screenings and improved the diagnosis process, leading to early detection and better management of eye diseases.

With the medical center in Accra and the university's support, he hopes to revolutionize eye care in Ghana. His vision of accessible and high-quality eye care services for all Ghanaians is no longer a distant dream, but a promising reality.

wuyong@chinadaily.com.cn