Residents of Garbatula town and its environs including Kinna, Rapsu and Duse in Isiolo South have a reason to smile, following the roll out of a week-long free eye screening and surgical procedure to remove cataracts.
This is aimed at eliminating avoidable blindness among the elderly members of the community who are the most affected by visual challenges.
The initiative is courtesy of the County Government of Isiolo in partnership with Johnson and Johnson company, and Operation Eyesight Universal.
Johnson and Johnson programme coordinator Samson Nyongesa said that the partners targeted Garbatula Sub County due to the high prevalence of cataracts and other eyesight disorders.
“We saw it prudent to bring the services closer to the patients, other than having them incur further expenses to travel to Isiolo or Meru. The Garbatula Sub County Hospital Theatre is ideal for the crucial operations to restore eyesight to the hundreds of people who are suffering in silence,” he said.
According to Dr Adan Mohamed, a cataract surgeon based at the Garbatula Sub County Referral Hospital, the free eye care camp has benefited over 700 people.
Out of this, a total of 152 cases of cataracts have been positively diagnosed, and booked for surgery at the Garbatula Sub County Hospital.
The surgical procedure conducted by a team of optical experts expected is to continue with the screening in other areas of Isiolo South such as Gafarsa, Malkadaka, Sericho and Modogashe in the weeks to follow.
“Our target is to diagnose and remove cataracts from at least 1,000 people by the end of December this year,” Dr. Adan said.
Isiolo health CECM Lucy Kaburu called upon members of the public to take advantage of the free eye care camp and turn out in large numbers.
She acknowledged Johnson and Johnson company as well as Operation Eyesight Universal for teaming up with the County Department of Health to offer the critical eye care services.
“Elimination of avoidable blindness remains a costly affair, with many families unable to afford the cost of surgeries and screening,” Kaburu said.
Apart from the screening and surgical procedures, patients in need of optical glasses will also receive them for free.
Garbatula Hospital Board Chairman Duba Kara, who is one of the beneficiaries for the free cataract surgery, lauded the initiative as one that will greatly transform the lives of beneficiaries through restoring their eyesight.
