Over 300 patients suffering from eye cataract will benefit from free surgery at the Makueni County Referral Hospital (MCRH), courtesy of the Makueni County Government as well as the Rotary Clubs of Nairobi and Machakos.
The county Executive for Health Dr. Paul Musila said that the free eye camp will be conducted between January 29 and 31, 2024 at the Makueni County Referral Hospital.
He is now appealing to the area residents and even those from neighbouring counties to take advantage of the free treatment and come in large numbers in order to alleviate their eye illnesses.
“I am inviting Makueni residents and those from other countries like Machakos, Kitui, and Kajiado to come and benefit from the free eye treatment and surgery,” said Dr. Musila during the official launch of the exercise at MCRH.
“We have two doctors, each from Homa Bay and Siaya counties, and four others from MCRH. We have so far done 30 surgeries,” he added.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr, while presiding over the event, promised to ensure that eye treatment service is extended to all the other local sub-counties in a bid to alleviate chronic eye diseases, being experienced by people at the grassroots level.
Consequently, Mutula noted that the local health facilities will also be equipped with eye check-up machines and the requisite health workers to enable them to offer treatment services to wananchi across the county.
“Besides offering surgeries together with the Rotary Clubs, as a government, we are going to equip our health facilities with eye machines to enable health workers to provide efficient and timely services to the people,” the governor stated.
On her part, the Rotary Club President Susan Rambana said they were out to achieve their main mission of creating hope in society by providing distinctive services.
“We will ensure the provision of free cataract surgeries, besides treatment to people with eye problems in the society to alleviate their suffering,” said Rambana.
Mary Nzomo, one of the patients waiting for surgery, told KNA that she had lived with the eye condition for the past five years due high cost of treatment.
Nzomo thanked county government and the two Rotary Clubs for initiating the free eye camp that would benefit many in the county.
By John Mutinda and Emmaculate Kinyumu
