Liberian President Sirleaf Admits Dr. Rao into The Order of The Star of Africa with the Grade of Commander
President Sirleaf Admits Dr. Rao into The Order of The Star of Africa with the Grade of Commander.
The Liberian leader commended Gullapalli Nageswara Rao for what she called his
exceptional performance and contributions to Liberia.
According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf
made the commendation last Friday, November 24, 2017 in the C. Cecil Dennis
Auditorium at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, when she, as Grand Master of the
Order of Distinction of the Republic of Liberia, admitted Dr. Gullapalli N. Rao into the Order of the Star of Africa, with the Grade of Commander. Born of
Indian-descent, Dr. Rao is Founder of the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, which has
already operated on and improved the eye sights of about 6,000 patients in the
country.
“You and your team from India that have established this
Branch of the L.V Prasad Eye Institute here in Liberia have been doing so
exceptionally; working with doctors and medical personnel at the John F.
Kennedy Medical Center to meet and treat the number of eye patients currently
benefitting from your service in Liberia,” President Sirleaf stressed in her
opening statement.
President Sirleaf commended Dr. Rao and his team for
responding to the Government of Liberia’s call at quick notice to extend the
operations of the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute to Liberia some three years ago.
The L.V. Prasad Eye Institute’s rapid response was accompanied by the some of
the best state of the art medical equipment to the country.
President Sirleaf praised Dr. Rao thanked he and his men’s
for working with various group, including those from the civil society, local
and international partners in exploring other avenues; giving special care and
attention to children with eye-related problems and the manufacturing of
special eye glasses for them in a bid to save them from early blindness. “Your
commitment has been tremendous,” President Sirleaf told the Indian Doctor and
his compatriots.
President Sirleaf said since coming to power on Monday,
January 16th, 2006, her administration has always strived to make sure that the
health sector is improved for the well-being of the Liberian people. She said
one area where much attention has not been given is the eye care sector to save
Liberians from unnecessary blindness and curable eye diseases.
The Liberian leader said it was predicated upon this need
that about three years ago, while on a State visit to India, she was fortunate
to come into direct contact with Dr. Rao; and during their interaction, the
need for expanding operations of his Eye Institute to Liberia was expressed.
She said few months later, the request was reciprocated as a result of Dr. Rao
and team bringing into the country - some of the most sophisticated eye medical
equipment that have been installed at the John Kennedy Medical Center.
She said since the eye center was opened to the Liberian
public during this year’s July 26th celebrations, about 6,000 patients have
been treated at the facility with various eye problems from across the 15
counties.
Responding, Dr. Gullapalli N. Rao recounted that about three
years ago while catering to a Liberian girl with some eye problem in India,
President Sirleaf was also in India on a State visit, and during their
interactions, the issue of extending the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute’s services
to Liberia was discussed.
Dr. Rao noted that following successful operations on the
eyes of the Liberian girl who was taken to India, he and some members of team
decided to extend the facility to Liberia in honor of President Sirleaf’s
request.
He narrated that since arrival in Liberia with a view to
setting up a Branch of the L.V. Eyes Institute at the John F. Kennedy Medical
Center Compound, the eye center has since treated over 6,000 patients, with
various degrees of eye problems.
Dr. Rao noted that during the dedicatory ceremony in July of
this year, he assured Liberians that as long as the facility is here, by the
year 2030, “no Liberian will go needlessly blind, like it was in the past, when
the L.V. Parsat Eyes Institute was not in the country.
Similarly, Dr. Rao again assured Liberians that while his
facility has also been catering to about 6,000 patients over the last five
months, carrying on Cornea transplants; the next focus of the Eye Institute
will be to cater to cataract patients. He said by the year 2020 the facility
should be able to treat at least 20,000 Cataract patients across Liberia and in
the sub-region.
The ceremony was graced by several senior government
officials, including Justice Minister, Cllr. Frederick D. Cherue, Information
Minister, Lenn Eugene Nagbe, National Security Advisor, C. Clarence Massaquoi,
Madam Winnie Scott MacDonald, Administrator of the John F. Kennedy Medical
Center, the Doyen and Members of the diplomatic corps, among others.
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