CIMB gives RM50,000 for lens implants

Anthony Ang (fourth from left) receiving a mock cheque from Mohd Azrul Abdul Raman (centre). With them are RCI members and recipients. Pic by Diana Yeoh

IPOH: CIMB Foundation donated RM50,000 to Rotary Club of Ipoh (RCI) for the club's Intraocular Lens community service project here.

RCI president Anthony Ang said the project was aimed at providing the lens implants for the poor and helping to reduce cataract blindness.

Ang said the funds donated would only be used for the purchase of the lens and excludes surgical costs and hospital stay.

Those from poor income groups, who did not receive any support from family members, and are residents of Perak would be eligible for the treatment.

The patients were recommended by Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh, Taiping Hospital, Teluk Intan Hospital and Seri Manjung Hospital through the state welfare department.

"Since last October, 10 patients underwent surgery for cataract," said Ang.

Meanwhile, CIMB regional director Mohd Azrul Abdul Raman said the project was part of the bank's corporate social responsibility initiative.

Recipient Fatimah Zainal Abidin, 63, who underwent cataract surgeries for both her eyes, is thankful as she can now see clearly.

Another recipient, Cheng Sit Weng, 77, said the surgery saved him from going blind as he was diagnosed with "mature cataract".