Over 300 residents in Turkana County received free eye care during a five-day medical camp at Lodwar County Referral Hospital (LCRH), as part of efforts to address a cataract surgical rate below World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. The initiative, organized by the County Government through LCRH in partnership with Lighthouse People from Mombasa and Christian Success International from Meru, provided eye examinations, cataract surgeries, corrective reading glasses, and health education. Outreach teams also reached Kapua and Kolokol, where patients were assessed and referred for further care, though community turnout fell short of expectations despite the free services.
County Deputy Eye Coordinator Veronica Etee highlighted that Turkana’s cataract surgical rate stands at approximately 900 annually, below the WHO’s recommended 2,000. “Cataract surgery is a key priority to improve access to specialized eye care,” she said, noting the camp aimed to expand treatment capacity. Ophthalmic Nurse Martha Asinyen Locham reported over 50 cataract surgeries and 30 pairs of reading glasses dispensed, exceeding the initial target of 100 surgeries over five days. However, she acknowledged lower-than-expected participation, urging residents to seek early intervention to prevent avoidable vision loss.
Medical supplies remained adequate throughout the camp, with patients scheduled for follow-up appointments after two weeks to monitor recovery. Locham emphasized the importance of timely care, particularly for elderly residents and those experiencing vision decline. The event also underscored systemic challenges in Turkana, where access to specialized health services remains limited, despite the county’s efforts to bridge gaps through mobile outreach and partnerships.
The camp’s outreach to remote areas, including Kapua and Kolokol, reflects broader strategies to address geographic disparities in healthcare access. The source notes that “Kolokol” may be a typographical variation of “Kalokol,” a known location in Turkana. While the 900 annual cataract surgeries reported align with the county’s current capacity, the WHO benchmark of 2,000 underscores the urgency of scaling up interventions. The initiative highlights both progress and persistent challenges in improving eye care outcomes in one of Kenya’s most underserved regions.