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Motion · S6M-08128 · 6 Mar 2023

Former Inverclyde Nurse Leading Fight Against Blindness in Ethiopia

Lodged by Stuart McMillan (Scottish National Party) Standard Motion 26 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament applauds the dedication of former Inverclyde nurse, Ergate Ayana, who founded Fighting Blindness in Ethiopia (FBIE) in 2006; understands that, in almost every year since then, he and a team of medics have travelled to Ethiopia to help people affected by cataracts and other sight-related conditions; further understands that the retired nurse estimates that, over the last 17 years, the eye specialists have carried out 4,000 cataract operations and examined 10,000 people in total; understands that Ergate travels out to Bahir Dar on 19 March 2023, followed by the rest of the 12-strong team on 25 March, marking his last trip with the charity; notes that Ergate worked as a nurse at Inverclyde Royal Hospital (IRH) in Greenock, then at the Southern General and the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, before returning to the IRH; understands that, while in his role in Greenock, he spoke to his friend, Dr Getachew, an ophthalmologist who had been carrying out sight-saving missions in India, which led to Ergate asking Dr Getachew to support him in a trip to Ethiopia and the pair teaming up for the first time in 2006; acknowledges that FBIE has never been to the same region of Ethiopia two years in a row, as it is keen to cover as much of the country and help as many people as it can; understands that the charity was launched following a donation from the Ethiopian Church in London, which paid for equipment, but that it now relies solely on donations from members of the public; commends Ergate, 81, on his commitment to continue to coordinate the activities from his home in Inverclyde, if this trip is indeed his last one for FBIE, and wishes the team all the best as they prepare to travel out later this month.

Supporters (26)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.