Eye patient being examined at Meru Primary school grounds during a free medical camp. Photo. Mwenda Kinoti

Thousands of residents from Meru and the neighbouring counties have a reason to smile after they benefitted from free eye and diabetes screening courtesy of North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood in conjunction with the Lions Club of Meru and Hindu Samaj.

The free medical camp was held at Meru primary school in Meru town with beneficiaries coming from as far as Samburu county with many arriving at the venue at the crack of dawn in order to ensure that they are served on time.

Dawood said he will cater for the expenses of all the drugs that will be subscribed to the patients since he had already donated Sh 100,000 for the same.

He said the eye spectacles will be sold at a subsidised price of Sh 300 noting that majority of the people can afford it.

“The free medical camp will be done once after every two months. The last clinic was done last month. I have already donated Sh 100,000 to ensure that anybody diagnosed with any illness goes home with free medication,” said Rahim.

Ntima West MCA Patrick Ntururu regretted that many people who are sick are suffering at home because they can not afford money for treatment.

He said many are scared of going to hospitals because of the expenses involved and lauded the organisers for holding the event.

“It is good to network with other organisations for the benefit of the people. I laud the organisers for this positive gesture. Many sick people are suffering at home because they can not afford money for treatment. They now have a chance to be tested and treated for free,” said Ntururu.

Lion Sightfirst hospital medical personnel Dr Peter Ndwiga said it is very important to be tested before going to the chemist to buy drugs.

He said cataract is the most common eye disease and called on residents to ensure that they undergo eye testing regularly.

“Blood sugar, old age and injuries are the main causes of eye diseases. A few people are born with the problem. I advise people to be careful on the kind of diet they take because some food causes rise in blood sugar,” said Dr Ndwiga.

He said 10% of those who will pass through eye screening will undergo surgery to rectify the problem.

Lions Club International Foundation coordinator Dr Virod Ramji urged the locals to take advantage of the rare screening exercise and be tested noting that the exercise will be done on a regular basis.

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