May 2025: Ethiopia/Lalibela: The second round of the free cataract surgery campaign was conducted in the presence of Dr. Peter Bachmann

It has been five months since the PBF Memorial Clinic officially inaugurated. The clinic has started comprehensive health care services and free campaigns in the last couple of months. Nevertheless, Dr. Peter has not visited the PBF memorial clinic since the first stone was set in January 2023, when it was constructed. In May, the time comes for Dr. Peter to finally visit the PBF memorial clinic and attend the upcoming cataract surgery campaign, bringing hope and healing to those in need.

In the past three months, the clinic has been able to provide a well-structured service with a software system-based service and a non-bureaucratic supply of pharmaceuticals and reagents. The clinic also operates twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, with no break time even on the holidays. About 179 patients were treated in the clinic with our well-equipped laboratory and pharmacy services. The clinic is contributing significantly by preventing referral cases from Lalibela to other big towns.

The PBF Memorial Clinic teams are aggressively working day and night to fulfill the satisfaction level of patients. The patient indicated that they visit the new hospital rather than the clinic, as they are satisfied with the services. We provide an anonymous comment section where clients can freely share their thoughts, recommendations, and remarks.

One teacher writes in the comment section as follows:

“I am a teacher at Lalibela High School, and my wife was sick and went to Lalibela General Hospital. But the hospital was unable to provide the necessary laboratory test, so they referred her for a hormonal test to Dessie, which is 300 kilometers from Lalibela. We had to travel there and wait some days for the results of the lab test. I would cover the costs of accommodation, transportation, and any other indirect expenses. Fortunately, thanks to this PBF Memorial Clinic, I got the service here in my own place in just an hour. I saved my money, time, and energy. There aren’t enough words to express my gratitude; I’ll just say, God bless PBF.”

In addition, two successful free eye treatment campaigns were done in the clinic.

The second round of the eye treatment campaign was opened with Dr. Peter and priests and monks of Lalibela Church praying. In this round, the clinic screened 647 patients for the campaign from 1,477 visiting clients. The clinic successfully performed cataract surgeries, medical treatments, and eyeglass provision for Lalibela church monastery priests and monks.

The following statistics emerged as diagnosed:

121 cataracts
87 trachoma cases
58 glaucoma cases
71 infectious and other eye diseases
149 eyeglass provisions with their lens size for monks and priests as they need them for reading and other sight problems.
The remaining 161 patients were appointed next time for further evaluation and treatment.

Numerous patients were delighted to share their emotions upon achieving sight. The monks and priests of the St. Lalibela rock-hewn church are extremely thankful for PBF. They stated, “Thanks to the eyeglasses, we can now better read the holy books. We will offer our prayers for Peter’s long life.”