Accra: Vision Care, Republic of Korea-based international relief organisation, has restored sight to hundreds of Ghanaians through a specialised eye care outreach. The intervention reinforces growing humanitarian and diplomatic relations between Ghana and Korea. The intervention, dubbed the 395th 'Vision Eye Camp,' was held from April 20 to April 24 at the Margret Marquart Catholic Hospital, where about 143 patients underwent cataract surgeries free of charge.
According to Ghana News Agency, the exercise forms part of the organisation's broader 'Eyes on Africa' initiative, aimed at tackling preventable blindness and improving access to eye care services across the continent. Vision Care, founded in 2002 by Dr. Dong-hae Kim, has carried out similar outreach programmes 394 times in 40 countries as of the end of 2025, providing free eye examinations to more than 280,000 people and performing over 32,000 surgeries globally. The organisation has mobilised more than 6,400 volunteers, including about 1,200 ophthalmologists, to support its global operations, making it one of the leading medical outreach groups specialising in ophthalmology.
Beyond providing immediate medical care, Vision Care is also investing in sustainable healthcare delivery systems in host countries. Through its 'Vision Training' and 'Vision Network' programmes, the NGO equips local health professionals with advanced surgical skills. So far, 136 local ophthalmologists and nurses have benefited from these training initiatives, ensuring continuity of care even after the departure of international teams.
Dr. Donghae Kim, Founder and President of Vision Care, said the organisation's mission was to eliminate avoidable blindness caused by lack of access to medical resources. 'By collaborating with local hospitals, we are not just treating patients; we are building a foundation for self-reliance in eye health,' he noted. He described the outreach as a significant example of 'medical diplomacy,' strengthening people-to-people relations between Ghana and the Republic of Korea.
The Korean Ambassador to Ghana, Park Kyongsig, said the initiative went beyond healthcare delivery to impact lives and livelihoods. 'This exercise is not just about restoring vision; it is about transforming lives, families and futures,' he said. He added that the programme aligned with Ghana's efforts to expand access to critical healthcare for vulnerable populations. He emphasised that such humanitarian collaborations continued to deepen bilateral relations and mutual respect between the two countries.
Following the success of the Ghana mission, Vision Care has announced plans to make the eye camp an annual event, a move expected to strengthen healthcare support systems in the country. The organisation intends to organise 16 outreach programmes across 13 countries, including Morocco, Mongolia, and Pakistan. Vision Care has also received international recognition for its work, including a national commendation medal from the Korean government in 2026, highlighting its contribution to global health and humanitarian services.
The promise of annual interventions in Ghana is expected to provide long-term relief for patients while enhancing local capacity, ultimately contributing to improved public health outcomes.