"SHENZHEN'S doctors and hospital are excellent!" Kirpal Singh said after undergoing a cataract operation on his right eye last Friday (Dec 16).

The London-based Singh, 73, developed cataract in both eyes two years ago, and was unable to see clearly. He read a paper in an international medical journal written by Shenzhen ophthalmologist Liu Xinhua and was impressed, he said. Singh decided to have his cataract operation done in Shenzhen, a plan supported by many of his friends.

"One of my Chinese friends said to me that Shenzhen is an ideal place for me to undergo the operation, simply because doctors there are ¡®perfect,'" he said.

Last week Singh came to Shenzhen accompanied by his nephew, and underwent the operation performed by Liu at Shenzhen Ophthalmology Hospital. "I am very satisfied with the result," a recovering Singh said.

"I come to China to have the extraction not because it's cheaper. The prices for the operation itself are about the same in Shenzhen and in London. But if you take the flight fare, hotel expenses etc. into account, it is actually much more expensive to have it done here!" said Singh.

"I feel great now and will come to Shenzhen again next month for another extraction operation on my left eye," he said.

Editor: Wing