The case study of ShidhaneTantala
Name:ShidhaneTantala, 32 years old
Occupation: Dependent
Residence: Oyida Kebele, Gamo Goffa Zone in the SNNPRS
Diagnosis:bilateral Cataract
Facility: Sawla Hospital SECU
Dateoftreatment: 15th of May 2016
ShidhaneTantalais a single mother of two who lives in Oyida Kebele, Gamo Goffa Zone, in the SNNPRS, which is 195 Kilometers away from the Zonal Capital Arbaminch. She is divorced and is currently raising her two children alone.
12 years ago, Shidhane was pregnant with her third child. Her ex-husband came home drunk one night and beat her until her eyes swollen and bruised. The beating was so bad she had a miscarriage. Ever since after the beating, her vision on both eyes started to gradually reduce. Shidhane tried local healers and applied local remedies. But her vision showed no improvement, it became even worse from time to time until she lost her vision completely.
Shidahane had no means of income to afford food and other basic necessities for her children so as her parents. Begging was her only option. Her sons guide her as she walks to beg door to door. It was very difficult for her to independently do anything by herself. Accidents like getting her fingers burned, or bumping into a wall was her daily routine.
After 12 years of suffering, Shidhane heard about eye care service being provided at an Orbis supported Sawla Hospital SECU from health development army while beginning in the market. She decided to try her luck once and for all.
On May 15 2016,Shidhane came to the hospital along with her eldest son and one of her neighbors. After being examined, she found out that she has bilateral cataract which can be surgically treated at the hospital. Her right eye was operated. The next day when the eye patch was removed, she couldn’t believe she could see clearly. She saw her children’s face again after a long time. Shidhane underwent another cataract surgery on her left eye which was also conducted successfully. Her sights on both operated eyes were very successful with visual acuity of 6/18.
Occur field coordinator for Gamo Gofa rural project visited Shidhane after a month of going through surgery to see her progress. When he went to her house, she was in the garden working with smiley face. He asked her about her eye condition, she said, “I am fine thanks to God, everything is okay! As you see I am working. My suffering and begging years are behind me.