Residents of Kamariny Ward, Keiyo North Sub County have a reason to smile following a successful outreach program that is aimed at preventing avoidable blindness among them.
The campaign conducted by Operation Eye Sight Universal and the county’s Department of Health and Sanitation saw over 90,000 patients attended to in five wards that the program took place. The wards are Kamariny, Kapchemutwa, Emsoo, Tambach and Moiben Kuserwo.
For gogo Lucia Kosgei, 62, the program was exceptional. She had lost her one eye and the remaining one was on the brink of failing her too. Her daily chores faced turbulent times. It was just a matter of time before she turned blind.
She was one of the many patients with a serious eye problem that required urgent attention. A successful eye operation was done on her and was issued with reading glasses. She is now able to read her Bible with ease and she has also embarked on her gourd decorating activity and cloth-making that she had abandoned 11 years ago when her eye woes began.
“I am now able to continue with my daily duties at home with ease unlike previously when I struggled through. This is a great initiative that has truly transformed my life,” Gogo Kosgey said.
Caroline Ikumu, Operation Eyesight Universal program coordinator said the two-year program also involved training of community health workers (CHVs).
“We trained over 30 CHVs on door-to-door screening, health education and also provided medication and surgical for free to the patients,” she noted.
Elgeyo Marakwet Public Health Director William Kendagor thanked Operations Eye Sight Universal and called for more partnership in ensuring that the program is conducted in all the 20 wards.
Kendagor added that through the program, more than 2,000 patients were treated and surgeries were done to 600 others with cataracts.
