Helena Ndume

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Helena Ndume
Born
Tsumeb, Namibia
NationalityNamibian
CitizenshipNamibian
Alma materUniversity of Leipzig
Known fornotable for her charitable work among sufferers of eye-related illnesses in Namibia
AwardsRed Cross International Humanitarian Service Award (2009);Grand Commander of the Order of Namibia First Class among others
Scientific career
FieldsOphthalmology

Dr. Helena Ndaipovanhu Ndume (1959/1960 (age 61–62))[1] 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.[2] She is currently the head of the Ophthalmology department at Windhoek Central Hospital, Namibia’s largest hospital,[3] and is one of only six Namibian ophthalmologists.[4] She was listed as one of BBC's 100 women during 2018.[1]

Early life and education[]

Helena Ndume was born in Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region. She studied life 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.[5]

She is married, and has one son.[5]

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.[5]

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.[6] In 2009, Dr Ndume was honoured with a humanitarian award by the NRCS for her work in restoring sight to those blinded by cataracts.[4]

Work with SEE International[]

Dr. Ndume has volunteered with sight-restoring nonprofit SEE International since 1995. Since then, SEE and Dr. Ndume have collaborated to hold free week-long eye clinics in Namibia, typically twice every year. These clinics provide free eye surgeries for approximately 300 impoverished men, women, and children.[7]

International Recognition and Awards[]

  • Dr. Helena Ndume and Jorge Fernando Branco Sampaio of Portugal, became the first recipients of the United Nations Nelson Mandela Prize on 22 June 2015. [8]
  • Grand Commander of the Order of Namibia First Class;
  • Red Cross International Humanitarian Service Award (2009);
  • Rotary International Humanitarian Award in the fight against blindness (2008);
  • Namibia National Science Award (2005);
  • Humanitarian award in the prevention of blindness in Santa Barbara, California, USA (2001);
  • Lions International Award in recognition of sincere and devoted efforts with Lions Operation Brightsight Project (1999).[9]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "BBC 100 Women 2018: Who is on the list?". BBC. 18 November 2018.
  2. ^ Ikela, Selma (22 March 2011). "For those that have made the country proud". Namibian Sun. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
  3. ^ McCarthy, Diane (11 September 2011). "Namibia's 'miracle doctor' brings gift of sight". Cable News Network. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
  4. ^ a b Iipinge, Saara (March 2010). "NRCS honours a remarkable humanitarian" (PDF). NRCS Newsletter. Namibia Red Cross Society. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 September 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
  5. ^ a b c SHEJAVALI, NANGULA (7 October 2009). "Helena Ndume – 'miracle doctor' restoring eyesight". The Namibian. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
  6. ^ "The Namibia Red Cross Society shows "way forward" at 2007 AGM" (PDF). NRCS Newsletter. Namibia Red Cross Society. September 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 August 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
  7. ^ "SEE International - Namibia". SEE International. Archived from the original on 2015-06-12. Retrieved 2015-06-15.
  8. ^ "General Assembly awards first-ever UN Nelson Mandela Prize to nationals of Namibia and Portugal". 22 June 2015.
  9. ^ https://www.un.org/pga/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2015/07/CV-Helena-Ndume.pdf
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