Speaker Dr David Huggin

President Stewart Wilson welcomed our speaker Dr David Huggan, and two visiting Rotarians from the Crieff club, David Crosbie and Bob Milne.

Colin Bayes updated us on our progress in the Gavel. Our team that included both experienced and new members won both their opening matches.

Our speaker Dr David Huggan, for many years a consultant ophthalmologist at Stirling Royal, told us about the Guildford Rotary Eye Project, now renamed Global Sight Solutions is supported by the Rotary Foundation the largest non-government charity in the world. Started by Guildford Rotarian Dr Sam Das, its activities have spread into many third world countries where poor health, poor nutrition and poor living conditions make many vulnerable to eye damage, particularly to the cornea. It is estimated that 650 million could benefit from treatment and 250 million have significant sight loss making them unemployable thus keeping whole families in poverty. Importantly, many of their problems are easily treated at little cost by simple surgery or the provision of glasses.  Under the scheme suitable buildings are provided by the local Rotary club, with the aim of making each unit self sufficient, 50% of the funds being raised locally and 50% by Rotary. In addition to the hospital units, transport needs to be provided in areas which are very rural with no public transport.  Their aim is to treat 150,000 cataracts per year at 20 new hospitals by 2020, and contributions to help achieve this can be made at www.mydonate.bt.com/charities/globalsightsolutions .

The vote of thanks was given by Philip Allison. For further info www.stirling .rotary1010.org

Report by Dr Ian Richardson

For our meeting on 3rd November, Speaker's host will be Derek Anderson and visitor's host Dr Ian Richardson.