• Submitted by: manso
• International
• 02 / 22 / 2011

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Asuncion Feb 21 (Prensa Latina) The Cuban medical brigade with the Operation Miracle free eye surgery program examined about 1,000 Paraguayan patients in several districts of the department of San Pedro.

In one week, the medical personnel visited the municipalities of San Pedro, Santa Rosa, Resquin, Guajaybi, San Estanislao and Capiibary, among the pooest areas in Paraguay, physician Boris Luis Carballo, who is heading the mission, told Prensa Latina.

Of all patients assisted, 95 were diagnosed with cataracts and 142 with pterygium, while 237 require surgical treatment, Carballo said.

Those patients will be transferred next month to Maria Auxiliadora, in the southern department of Itapua, 370 km (230 miles) from Asuncion, to undergo surgery in the hospital built by the Cuban brigade in that locality.

The work team comprises Carballo and first-degree ophthalmology experts Dr. Susel Fanego, an expert in Integral General Medicine and ophthalmology, and Paula Perez, a professional in optometry and optics.

The Operation Miracle brigade is comprised of 16 ophthalmologists, anesthetists and nurses, and includes clinics, a pharmacy, a laboratory, anesthesiologists and nurses.