This archive report was first published on 25 August 2021.
Published on August 25, 2021, a remarkable initiative by Siaya County has seen over 100,000 residents benefit from free eye care camps in the last six years.
According to Jerry Williams Ochieng, the Director of Communications in the county's health department, the partnership has led to 10,000 residents undergoing free surgeries to correct various eye conditions, restoring their sight.
Speaking during an eye camp at Simenya Health Centre in Ugunja sub-county, Ochieng praised the partnership, saying it has saved many families thousands of shillings that would have been spent seeking medical services elsewhere.
"We have so far served over 100,000 people since 2015 when the eye care camps began," Ochieng said. "We have done 10,000 surgeries to correct eye problems affecting our people."
Dr. Calvin Omondi, the county eye surgeon, attributed the success of the program to the support from organizations such as the Fred Hollows Foundation and Australia Aid.
"Eye hospitals charge an average of Sh25, 000 for cataract surgery, but with the support of our partners, we do it for free," Dr. Omondi said.
A beneficiary of the program, Shirleen Akinyi, hailed the organizers of the free eye camps, saying they have enabled her nine-month-old son regain sight.
"I took him to Siaya County Referral Hospital and was referred to Sabatia eye hospital where the doctors said he suffered from cataract which had made him blind," Akinyi said.
