Cataract complications have been cited as a major challenge among residents of Naivasha Sub-county. This has been attributed to farming activities that a times harm eyes with some developing eye problems.
Speaking at Naivasha Sub-county Referral Hospital on April 19, 2024, during a free eye Clinic organized by the Rotary Club of Waridi in collaboration with other partners, Evelyn Mukami from Rotary Club of Waridi noted that the majority of locals in the area have eye-related complications with cataracts being one of them.
“We realized that there was a need for an eye clinic here, having in mind that the majority of the people here practice subsistence farming as well as pastoralists which are groups that are affected by cataracts. So are ensuring they are taken through surgery so that they can restore their eyesight” she stated.
Samson Waweru- Executive Director of Kenya Society for the Blind who graced the event, revealed that the leading cause of blindness is cataracts.
He lauded the Rotary Club of Waridi for its partnership towards restoring eyesight through cataract surgery to hundreds of patients in Naivasha during the free eye medical clinic.
“We feel this is a noble course towards restoring eyesight and preventing avoidable blindness through cataracts’ surgery,” he stated.
Rotary Club of Waridi President Eunice Kamau on her part reiterated the need for more partnerships towards Comprehensive eye care for larger Naivasha Sub-county residents.
She noted that the Rotary Club of Waridi is looking into making the eye clinic an annual event.
This, she said, will help restore eyesight to many senior citizens who are affected by cataracts and any other eye problems.
“We look forward to making this an annual event in future so that we can reach a larger population,” she stated.
It should be noted that health is just among many areas of focus that the Rotary Club of Waridi has continued to engage in towards making a better society.
Speaking to Journalists during the free eye clinic, beneficiaries lauded the Rotary Club of Waridi for the gesture.
Joseph Gitau who heard from a friend about the free medical camp, took up upon himself to ferry his father to the venue at Naivasha Sub-county Hospital.
He was quick to note that cataract surgery has continued to be for the rich, but with such free medical camps, many who cannot afford can now make good use of such opportunities.
Gitau called on the National Government to expedite the process of addressing the Doctors’ stalemate to avert patients suffering more.
“When such free camps come they help many who cannot afford the healthcare expenses, especially during this time that the doctors are on strike. We at the same time urge the government to ensure an end to the strike through an agreement with the unions,” he said.
Sentiments echoed by Daniel Ng’ang’a who had a cataract issue and underwent surgery to remove the same.
Ng’ang’a lauded Rotary Club of Waridi for stepping in adding that the cataracts had been a challenge to him for more than a year.
A similar case for senior citizen Mary Wambugu.
In an interview after undergoing surgery to remove the cataracts, Mary recalled how the cataract issue has been a challenge in her old age.
She was however grateful that the free medical camp had seen her restore her eyesight.
“For one year,I have suffered a lot with the issues of cataracts, but I thank this club that I am now okay through the assistance of Rotary Club of Waridi,” the jovial Mary stated.
Author: Pristone Mambili
A trained Journalist with passion for Radio and online Writing.