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  M.Iashvili Children's Central Hospital and the Embassy of Japan to Georgia has signed a contract today whereby the Japanese government will allocate USD 85,680 as a grant to purchase eye surgery laser equipment.The project was initiated by Vilnius University Hospital “Santariškių klinikos” and actively promoted by Lithuanian diplomats.

Laser equipment will be used for complex operations on eye to cope with retinopathy of prematurity.

"Although nowadays surgery intervention can save the victims of retinopathy from blindness, dozens of Georgian children have lost their sight due to the lack of equipment in the Georgian hospitals," Lithuanian Ambassador to Georgia Jonas Paslauskas said at the signing ceremony.

Time matters a lot in curing retinopathy, especially among premature babies. Once the progression of retinopathy is detected, eye operation must be carried out immediately.

"A couple of years ago, the Lithuanian Embassy in the course of a few hours arranged transportation of a child from Tbilisi to Vilnius University Hospital, but those few hours were not enough – the disease was faster and claimed the child's sight for the rest of his life," recalls Lithuanian Ambassador.

The equipment purchased under the Japanese government’s grant will allow local doctors to carry out operations in Georgia. Lithuanian doctors, led by renowned ophthalmologist Dr. Rasa Bagdonienė, will help Georgian specialists to improve their capacities and acquire necessary skills.

Earlier this year, Lithuanian doctors have presented retinopathy diagnostic equipment as their gift to Iashvili Hospital.

Their initiative was picked up by Lithuanian diplomats, who encouraged Iashvili Hospital to write an application to the Japanese Embassy. In December, the application was approved under the Embassy’s Grass-Root Projects program.

"Lithuania’s support has helped to open a new page in the history of Georgian ophthalmology, and we greatly appreciate that," notes one of the leading Georgian ophthalmologists and the driving force behind the project Dr. Zaza Khotenashvili.

Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs intends to contribute to this project through its 2011 development cooperation program and provide funds for medical staff training in Georgia.

Source: Embassy of Lithuania