Francis Bangi, a veterinarian in Wau, South Sudan, has suffered from poor eyesight for more than 20 years now. Despite all his efforts, local health facilities were not able to find a permanent solution to his problem.

Enter Blue Helmets from Bangladesh serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), who recently held a free medical camp that specifically aimed at treating patients with vision-related issues.

“Over the past two decades, I’ve been slowly suffering because of my eyes,” reveals Francis. “I tried everything from repeatedly changing spectacles to trying every medication I could find locally; but nothing has worked so far. This free clinic is, therefore, exactly what I and many other community members need.”

More than 200 people were screened for different eye ailments, diagnosed and given appropriate treatment, including ointments, reading glasses and vitamin supplements, by these committed UNMISS peacekeepers.

“My vision has been worsening over the past four years and it was becoming hard for me to read,” says Alf Adil Osman, a student and a beneficiary of this temporary clinic. “Bangladeshi peacekeepers tested my eyes, gave me medication and a new pair of reading glasses. I already feel much better,” added this young man.

Angelina Michael, who travelled from Udic, to get her eyes tested is as happy as Alf. “My new spectacles and ointment have been effective almost instantly,” she states.

For their part, Bangladeshi peacekeepers believe that such community engagements build trust, confidence and help local communities in this young nation.

“We deployed to South Sudan to protect civilians,” explains Lieutenant-Colonel Mizanur Rahman, part of the troops conducting the clinic. “Part of our mandate is to support the communities we serve in every capacity we can so that they are able to lead fruitful lives. Providing them with free medical checkups is essential since conflict has hugely impacted the levels and availability of proper healthcare across South Sudan,” he states.

The temporary eye clinic was housed in the Wau Teaching Hospital and peacekeepers received appreciation from the hospital authorities, who also requested more interventions from the UN Peacekeeping mission for medical supplies and equipment.