kampong Cham province with 6,208 patients helped by the 19-month China-aided Belt and Road Cataract Blindness Eradication Campaign, which came to an end on Tuesday. Thanks to H E, Leung Chun-ying, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and chairman of the Belt and Road Hong Kong Center, said that the project has truly demonstrated the spirit of international cooperation and people-to-people connectivity.
“Restoring eyesight to over 6,208 patients in one campaign is an outstanding achievement,” he said. “Each and every patient has a touching and heart-warming story to tell. As a result of this campaign, the friendship between the peoples of China and Cambodia is stronger.” Apart from helping cataract patients to regain their vision, local ophthalmologists were also trained to perform cataract surgery independently, said a project’s report, adding that all nurses at the hospital are now well-versed in the pre-and-post operation procedures and eye care for patients.
Chinese Ambassador Wang Wentian said such a project was vital to helping reduce poverty and deepening people-to-people bonds between the two countries.
“The project has not only provided new hope to cataract patients in Kampong Cham province, but also contributed to further promoting China-Cambodia relations under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative,” he said.
