10 years of existence:

K’ba district hospital & USA-based NGO partner to save sights
Hospital Director, Dr. Ebongo Zachs Nanje extols Eye Unit for landmark achievements amid challenges
By Sirri NTONIFOR TANGWE in Kumba

Dr. Ebongo Zacks Nanje checking a patient’s sight

Over 500 persons have benefitted from free consultative services at the Eye Unit of the Kumba District Hospital in a symbolic campaign to commemorate the Unit’s 10th anniversary. Launched in 2005 under the leadership of its present head cum District Hospital Director, Dr. Ebongo Zachs Nanje, the Eye Unit attends to more than 35000 persons yearly through clinic-based services and outreach programmes in localities such as Bangem, Mundemba, Tombel, Mbonge, Ekondo Titi, etc.
    The tenth anniversary philanthropic gesture was accomplished through a partnership between the Kumba District Hospital and NsoXperience, a “Fitness and Wellness Company” based in New York City, U.S.A.

    NsoXperience’s founder, Nso David, is a model, actor and fitness instructor born and bred in Kumba, but now based in the U.S.A for the past 13 years. His organisation donated 30 corrective lenses and 60 eye drop medications to the first persons diagnosed to be in need of these.
    His decision to do this, he says, was spurred by his need to give back to the community in which he grew up, a community wherein financial difficulties prevent many from going for the essential annual eye check-up.
    Based on this, Nso David christened the gesture, ‘NSO Gives Back’.  Shying away from revealing costs incurred by this project, he described the gesture as one done in memory of his grandfather and to be measured only in terms of lives touched. His team included rising actress, Nsang Dilong, and received support from Miss Cameroon 2013, Ayena Denise Valerie.
    Underscoring the importance of good eyesight to development, Dr. Ebongo declared himself fulfilled as the pioneer Eye Unit head. He said the Eye Unit is waxing strong although there are still many challenges. These include the need to upgrade the Unit’s technical capacity, lack of personnel, difficulty faced by enclaves to assess the Unit’s services and inability of patients to finance their treatment.
    Both Mr. Nso and Dr. Ebongo launched an appeal to individuals and communities to give back to their communities and catalyse development by sponsoring surgeries and the purchase of medication and lenses for needy patients with defective eyesight. “I’ve seen a lot of people here who hunger for people to help them, who need basic attention but lack the means to get it. I call on individuals and companies to help the underprivileged in cities and remote places alike,” Nso said.
    NsoXperience has also taken on the responsibility to sponsor eye surgeries for selected persons who made use of the free eye consultations, with an assessment of the impact made to be done in 03 months. According to Nso David, NsoXperience hopes to extend its philanthropy to other communities and villages with the help of like-minded partners.