By Sabri Dibaco
The Catholic Bishop of Tambura-Yambio Diocese has expressed gratitude to a Spanish medical mission team for their continued support in providing eye care services to residents in Yambio.
During their third visit to Yambio, the Spanish medical mission team provided consultations, treatments, and minor procedures to dozens of patients with eye conditions in a region where specialized care is scarce.
Speaking during the closing of the medical outreach, Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro thanked the Spanish doctors and volunteers for their commitment and compassion in serving the people of the diocese.
He noted that eye problems are common in many communities and access to proper treatment is limited, making the mission’s work very important. “This is now the third time our brothers and sisters from Spain have come to help our people see again. We are very grateful for their generosity and dedication,” Hiiboro said.
He added that the partnership between the diocese and the Spanish medical team has brought hope to many people who had long suffered from eye complications without access to proper treatment.
“Your service reflects a profound solidarity between the people of Spain and the people of South Sudan. It is a sign that the church is truly universal, where compassion crosses borders, cultures, and languages to serve the most in need,” Hiiboro noted.
He further appreciated benefactors, supporters, and institutions in Spain, including government and charitable organizations, for their noble mission.
The Spanish medical team commended local church leaders and health workers for organizing the outreach and mobilizing patients, stressing their mission to deliver quality eye care to vulnerable communities while strengthening cooperation with the diocese.
Albert, a Spanish priest, thanked the community and those who facilitated the program’s success. “I would like to sincerely express my appreciation for allowing my team to have this experience with the communities in the diocese,” he said.
Christine Mazinda, a local resident of Yambio who received treatment, welcomed the initiative, saying it has helped many people who could not afford to travel to larger hospitals for eye care.
“We have been facing eye problems, and many have gone blind just because there was no early access to services. This initiative by the bishop is a great development and will help many people, especially the affected groups in Yambio and South Sudan at large,” she said.
Mazinda added that her husband, who has long suffered from eye pain, may now find relief. “Many people here are very happy because this support is not for the gain of the church but for the people of God who have been suffering,” she explained.
The diocese hopes that the collaboration will continue in the future to enable more patients in Western Equatoria State and South Sudan at large to benefit from specialized medical services offered by the Spanish medical mission.