On 10th February, 2023 in conjunction with Masinde Muliro university of science and technology (MMUST) Optometry department, we extended our Free eye clinic initiative to Hamisi region at Gavudunyi Friends church where 117 patients benefited from the clinic.
Patients with several eye conditions like presbyopia, cataract received treatment, and consultation services and severe cases were referred for surgery.
73 patients also received free eye glasses which were an in-kind donation from John Lucente and his lions club colleges.
Grace who received eyeglasses after eye screening could not hide her joy.” I am a tailor and for a while I could not make or repair clothes for my customers because I struggled to see very well. I had difficulty in reading small fonts, but with this eyeglass they have given me, it’s going to be helpful,”
Brian, a student in a local school expressed his gratification of how the clinic has been of great impact in his eye health.
“I have had a problem with my eyes since childhood such that when I wake up in the morning, my eyes are heavy and I strain to open them. They have given me drugs to treat the condition and I am optimistic of improvements,” he said.
Andrew Wekesa a consultant Optometrist who led the MMUST team hailed the clinic stating that it was an eye opener to the public on matters eye health adding that it has helped reach the marginalized groups in the society especially those affected by poverty.
“Poverty has contributed to inaccessibility of eye care. Many especially the elderly wait for long to have an eye checkup because they lack resources like transport and treatment fees to enable them reach hospitals and pay for the checkups. Free eye clinics like this are good and a big plus, in helping the public access eye checkups,” said Wekesa.
Joy Teka, an optometry student who took part in the exercise called upon the public to be more vigilant with their eye health and frequently go for checkups. Joy also applauded the clinic saying that it is good for the community since most people overlook eye sight treatment.
On the other hand, UKR’s head of Public Health and Sanitation Department Beryl Jumba has commended MMUST for their continuous support in aiding the clinic go through. Jumba says the clinics have been a success and created huge impacts to the beneficiaries.
“MMUST Optometry department have been of tremendous impact during these eye clinics. They have been of assistance in pushing for UKR’s agenda on quality health care for all. It’s been good to see people with partial blindness gain full eyesight. Children, students and old people have been able to read properly thanks to the free eyeglasses we have provided,” said Jumba.
This free eye clinic is the third one, previous ones having been held in Navakholo and Kakamega regions in western Kenya. It is a continuous community outreach initiative being held every Second Friday of the month for the year 2023
