At least 690 indigents have availed of free eye checkups and surgery from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao government recently in far-flung Sitangkai town in Tawi-Tawi province, a regional lawmaker said Wednesday.

Amir Mawallil, a member of the region’s Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) parliament, said most of those treated during the Feb. 12 medical mission “have not seen an eye specialist since birth.”

Sitangkai is an island town near Borneo in Malaysia.

“I have immediately organized the medical mission, along with the BARMM Ministry of Health after learning many of the indigents have eye issues,” Mawallil said in a statement.

Indigents in the area availed of the outreach program’s free eye-screening examination for blurry vision and cataract surgery held at the town’s covered court, he said.

“The smiles of our senior beneficiaries were heartwarming after they underwent screening, cataract pterygium surgery, and eventually getting free eyeglasses,” he added.

Abdul, a 62-year-old eye patient, lauded the BARMM government for the much-needed medical outreach program in their area.

“We almost lost hope of seeing again until this project came over. Life is beautiful again,” he was quoted in the statement as saying.

In December last year, Mawallil, along with BTA colleagues Eddie Alih and eye physician Kadil Sinolinding Jr., also conducted a joint medical outreach program in Bongao, capital of Tawi-Tawi, which benefitted more than 220 indigent eye patients.

“This is our way of reaching out to our people in the island provinces,” he said, adding that his office would continue organizing similar outreach programs for the indigents in other parts of the region. (PNA)