This archive report was first published on 14 October 2021.
On October 14, 2021, the Kenyan Ministry of Health rolled out a groundbreaking initiative to improve eye health among school children. The Ministry unveiled a smartphone-based application, the PEEK-Portable Eye Examination Kit, designed to help teachers identify children with refractive errors in schools.
According to Health Chief Administrative Secretary Rashid Aman, the app will enable teachers to screen for eye diseases and refer children for further examination by an eye health worker. Aman emphasized that shortsightedness and long-sightedness eye conditions are common among school-going children and can be managed with spectacles.
However, Aman noted that failure to address these conditions can hinder quality schooling and learning among children. He also highlighted that approximately 7.5 million people in Kenya suffer from eye diseases and conditions, with only about 20% able to access eye care services.
Statistics show that globally, about one billion people have vision-impairing conditions that could be addressed to reverse or prevent vision impairment. Aman further stated that the spread of non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, is exposing patients to the risk of losing their sight.
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National and County governments, has put in place a workforce and infrastructure to provide quality eye health services at the county level. Aman appealed to the public to take the initiative and have their eyes checked regularly, emphasizing that early treatment can lead to better outcomes and is more cost-effective.
