Helena Ndume

Dr. Helena Ndume is a Namibian ophthalmologist, notable for her charitable work among sufferers of eye-related illnesses in Namibia. To date, Dr. Ndume has ensured that some 30,000 blind Namibians have received eye surgery and are fitted with intra-ocular lens implants free of charge.[1] She is currently the head of the Ophthalmology department at Windhoek Central Hospital, Namibia’s largest hospital,[1] and is one of only six Namibian ophthalmologists.[2]

Background

Helena Ndume was born in Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region. She studied medicine in Germany, before returning to Namibia in 1989 to complete a medical internship. She later returned to Germany, to specialise in ophthalmology at the University of Leipzig.[3]

She is married, and has one son.[3]

Work in Namibia

In 1995, Dr Ndume was introduced to Surgical Eye Expeditions International, and set about starting a project in Namibia. In August 1997, the first eye camp was held at Rundu, Kavango Region. Currently, four or five eye camps are held each year in different locations.[3]

Work with the Namibia Red Cross Society

For six years, from 2001 to 2007, Dr Ndume was vice chairperson of the Namibia Red Cross Society.[4] In 2009, Dr Ndume was honoured with a humanitarian award by the NRCS for her work in restoring sight to those blinded by cataracts.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ikela, Selma (22 March 2011). "For those that have made the country proud". Namibian Sun. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Iipinge, Saara (March 2010). "NRCS honours a remarkable humanitarian". NRCS Newsletter. Namibia Red Cross Society. p. 5. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 SHEJAVALI, NANGULA (7 October 2009). "Helena Ndume – ‘miracle doctor’ restoring eyesight". The Namibian. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
  4. ↑ "The Namibia Red Cross Society shows "way forward" at 2007 AGM". NRCS Newsletter. Namibia Red Cross Society. September 2007. Retrieved 28 October 2011.