VIENTIANE, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- A team of oculists from China's Yunnan Province has been engaged in a five-day "Bright Journey" in Lao capital Vientiane since Monday, providing free surgery for 100 Lao cataract patients.
"The Bright Journey has been bringing light to Lao patients, conveying love and friendship from China to Lao people," said economic and commercial counselor of Chinese embassy in Laos Wang Qihui, at the launching ceremony held in Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane on Tuesday.
"Before surgery in Nov. 8, 2017, everything was in darkness to the right eye, while after surgery, I felt very good since everything became clear," Khambai Siviengxay, a 67-year-old Vientiane citizen told Xinhua Tuesday.
She said she had received a cataract surgery in the right eye last year by another team of Chinese "Bright Journey" oculists, and was to have another cataract surgery in the left eye.
Khambai said she trusted the Chinese doctors and she would introduce the free surgery to her relatives and friends, in case that they might need it.
The hospital staff said among the 20 patients treated on Tuesday, three were introduced by other patients who had been cured by Chinese "Bright Journey" oculists.
The 2018 "Bright Journey" to Laos was held by Yunnan Folk Friendship with Foreign Countries Exchange Foundation, with a medical team consisting of professional medical staff from the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province. Notably, all the medicines, materials and equipment needed were donated by the Foundation.
Cheng Yunchuan, the director general of the Foundation, said during the launching ceremony that since its establishment in November 2013, the Foundation has been actively carrying out public welfare projects for Laos.
It has already organized "Bright Journeys" to Vientiane and Luang Prabang twice before this year, providing free cataract operations for 370 patients with 100 percent success rate, which is welcomed and highly appreciated by the local government and the communities.
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