Kiambu County’s Department of Health Services started a free eye screening and training programme in Kikuyu Sub-County aimed at identifying and addressing visual impairments among students.
The Vision Impact Project (VIP), launched on September 22, 2022, by the Kenya Ministry of Health and Christian Blind Mission (CBM), aims at ensuring that all persons with disabilities enjoy human rights and achieve their full potential.
It began with a community eye programme and has since transitioned to a school-based eye intervention programme, aiming to improve vision health among school children.
According to Director, Public Health and Sanitation, Teresia Kariuki, the department initiated a two-day training and practical field session for the Community Health Focal Person, Community Health Assistants, and Community Health Promoters to optimise service delivery.
“About 1,500 pupils at Kikuyu Township Primary School were screened for eye conditions and treated. We plan to escalate the programme to more primary schools all across the 14 sub-counties in Kiambu,” said Kariuki.
The Vision Impact Programme Manager, Stella Jane, emphasised that the programme aimed to provide essential treatment to those in need.
The programme also focuses on creating awareness and building capacity within the community by educating them on the importance of eye health.
“A key component of the programme also includes training school teachers as eye screeners to enhance the sustainability of the programme and educating parents and the community at large on the importance of eye health,” said Jane.
For advanced care, the programme offers referrals to ensure that those with serious eye conditions receive the necessary treatment.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), around 3% of children under 8 years are blind or visually impaired.
In early 2020, it was estimated that about 19 million children under 15 were visually impaired, with 1.4 million experiencing irreversible blindness.
By Magdaline Thuku
