More eye transplants slated for August

After successfully conducting 32 Cornea transplants in two separate sessions, military doctors plan to conduct other operations after they acquire more Corneas, in August.Maj. Dr. John Nkurikiye, an ophthalmologist at King Faisal Hospital, previously conducted the surgical operations together with Prof. Geoffrey Tabin of the University of Utah in the US.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

After successfully conducting 32 Cornea transplants in two separate sessions, military doctors plan to conduct other operations after they acquire more Corneas, in August.

Maj. Dr. John Nkurikiye, an ophthalmologist at King Faisal Hospital, previously conducted the surgical operations together with Prof. Geoffrey Tabin of the University of Utah in the US.

"Tabin is currently mobilizing for some more Corneas. We will start planning after the forthcoming Army Week,” Dr. Nkurikiye said.

He revealed that the operations will be delayed due to Army Week activities that begin July 17.

He was noncommittal on the number of patients to benefit saying that it is still too early to tell how many fresh Corneas will be availed by Dr. Tabin.

"Those parts (Corneas) have to be fresh – at least a month before the operation. Now, we can’t tell the exact number.”

Parliament is soon to conclude scrutinizing a law that will permit Rwandans to avail their body parts for medical use after death.

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