International fundraising campaign led by Tauranga Rotary will bring better sight to thousands in Pacific

Rotarians from Tauranga Rotary's sister clubs in Broadbeach, Queensland and Kasaoka, Japan, gathered to mark the occasion in which the clubs collaborated to secure a substantial Rotary International Foundation global grant. The generosity of the sister clubs and their global organisation meant that villagers living in far-flung Pacific islands no longer needed to go blind for the want of a simple operation.

 

Yesterday's ceremony ended with the surprise announcement that Mr Cowie had received the highest honour that can be bestowed by Rotary International, a Paul Harris Fellowship.  Rotary's past district governor Russell Turner said the award was for the vision and determination shown by Mr Cowie to found and lead the great organisation called Marine Reach.  "He is an outstanding New Zealander and a person who exemplified Rotary's maxim of putting service above self and doing good in the world."

 

Pacific Hope was the fourth ship to be operated by Marine Reach in its 25 year history, with two other ships currently operating around Papua New Guinea and the Mediterranean. During this time half a million people had received medical treatment and another half a million had gone through its school-based community health programmes.

 

The $103,000 raised by Rotary meant that Pacific Hope's third voyage since the former Japanese industry training ship was refitted in 2015 would include having American eye surgeon Jeff Rudgart on board. He would carry out an estimated 275 procedures during a full-on fortnight of operations in Vanuatu, after which the ship's only surgery would revert to being a dental and doctor's surgery for the rest of the year. "It's hard to get qualified ophthalmologists who are available in our time frame," he said. A lot more cataract procedures would be carried out next year.  

 

Mr Rudgart would be assisted by Tauranga eye nurse Ineke van Laar as part of Marine Reach's back-up nursing team of five people. 

 

Mr Cowie said dentistry was a major focus for Pacific Hope, with only one dentist for every 35,000 people in Vanuatu.   "We target the poor, isolated communities. No nation can be productive if its people are constantly unhealthy or ill," he said. Rotary District Governor Keith Owens said it was a sterling effort by Mr Garland.  "He negotiated road blocks, and there were a few." 

 

A total of $60,000 came from the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International and the balance from Rotary clubs and many individual contributors.
 
What the $103,000 bought: 

Four operation instrument sets: $29,800

Eye scanner with ultra-sonic probe: $24,600

Ophthalmic operating microscope: $12,600

Eye operation chair/bed: $13,300

Cornea keratometer: $12,900

Eye examination slit lamp: $8000

Eye pressure tonometer: $1300

Ophthalmoscope: $600