Minor Afghan girl regains eyesight in Turkey

By Alpaslan Korukcu

NEVSEHIR, Turkey (AA) - One of twin minor Afghan girls, whose family took refuge in Turkey, regained her eyesight after a cornea transplant procedure in the central province of Nevsehir on Friday.

The twin girls belonging to the Ahmadi family from Afghanistan fell sick when they were just one year old and lost their eyesight to a great extent.

Unable to treat their children, who are 7-year old now, in the war-torn country, they knocked neighboring Iran's door for help.

When Iran came up with a cost well beyond their means, the poor family came to Turkey.

The cornea transplants are valued at $25,000 on average in the U.S.

The mother of the twins, Khaledeh Ahmadi told Anadolu Agency that they contacted a local Turkish charity in Nevsehir and they promised help.

After initiatives by the charity founders along with the Turkish authorities in the province, one of the twins, Zohreh Ahmadi, went through a cornea transplant procedure on one eye and began to see after six dark years.

"May Allah be pleased with Turkey," said the ailing twins' mother.

"My kids were very sick. We went to Iran for treatment but they weren't interested because we were poor. Then we came to Turkey and everybody helped us," Ahmadi recalled.

- 'Turkey is always there for poor'

Mehmet Yurtseven, president of the Association of Physically Handicapped and Disabled People of Cappadocia in Nevsehir, said he knew Turkish authorities would extend a healing hand.

"Poor kids were bumping here and there when they were walking. We applied to our government knowing that they would help. They authorized the procedure and one of the twins is able to see now," said Yurtseven.

"Turkey is always there for the poor war victims. We are happy as much as the family," he added.

Medical procedures to cure both children continue.

* Vakkas Dogantekin from Ankara contributed to this story