By Betty Luke
Over 200 Isiolo residents have benefited from a free eye clinic sponsored by Mfinyanzi Community Based Organisation.
The program carried out at St Eusebius Catholic Church targeted residents with various eye ailments for screening, treatment and referral and was done in partnership with Sparks Medical Centre.
A 60-year-old Sarah Karauki whose eyes had been aching for more than four years said she had for a long time struggled seeking treatment due to financial constraints.
She said everytime she visited the optical specialists, she could not afford to pay for the checkup resorting to over the counter drugs which was cheaper.
“I am so happy because I have established what has been ailing me and I have been treated and given some medicine,” said the elated Ms Karauki.
Another beneficiary Halima Hassan’s 11-year-old son who had for a long time been using eyedrops was happy after the specialists discovered that he was allergic to dust, gave him some drugs and advised him to avoid the strange environment.
“I appeal to our people to seize such opportunities whenever they are available because they are rare but helpful. I will now strictly follow the guidelines given by the specialist on how to avoid the causative agent,” she said.
Mfinyanzi CBO Chair Peter Ngechu said the last weekend’s eye clinic camp was part of the organization’s social responsibility to Isiolo residents and that such clinics will be conducted annually to ensure people’s eye needs are taken care of.
“We thought it wise to think about the needy in our society because the majority of them have been economically affected and cannot even seek healthcare services,” said Mr Ngechu.
He said the organization was committed to helping solve several challenges faced by the residents, especially those from poor and vulnerable families.
“There is no better Christmas gift than ensuring a person who has been in pain has been alleviated from the suffering,” he maintained.
Sparks’ eye specialist Ms Mary Kaimuri said majority of the patients screened had allergies and glaucoma and that those with severe issues were referred to other health facilities for treatment.
Glaucoma is a condition where pressure increases within the eyeball damaging the nerve connecting the eye to the brain which eventually causes gradual loss of sight.
She lamented that the majority of the patients were not aware of the linkage between their eye conditions and other illnesses including diabetes and blood pressure.
“We have enlightened our patients on proper eye care and advised them to avoid drugs that are not prescribed as they could cause damage to their eyes,” said Ms Kaimuri.
