•The main cause of eye problems according to Catherine are diabetes, vitamin A deficiency and cataracts.
Image: ABDIKADIR CHARI
Hundreds of Marsabit residents with eye complications flocked to County referral hospital and Moyale sub-county hospital to receive free eye checkups and treatment.
The five days free eye clinic was organized by the Fred Hollows Foundation, Christofee blind mission, Mission Aviation Fellowship, County and National governments.
Catherine Jackaite, program manager of Fred Hollows foundation acknowledged the impact of the partnership in the fight against eye infections in the county, saying the burden of eye infection is high and such camps are highly encouraged to complement government efforts.
She said over 1733 patients were screened and treated for various eye conditions hence restoring their sight at the past medical camp held in July.
She said the partnership save families thousand of shillings that would have been spent seeking medical services elsewhere.
Image: ABDIKADIR CHARI
The main cause of eye problems according to Catherine are diabetes, vitamin A deficiency and cataracts.
Addressing the media, Marsabit county referral hospital CEO Liban Wako said through support from organizations such as Fred Hollows foundation, Christofee blind mission, Mission Aviation Fellowship and others, thousand of Marsabit county residents from humble backgrounds have been able to get help and restore their sight in the previous eye medical camp.
He urged residents with eye problems to turn up in large numbers for free screening and cataract surgeries.
According to county referral eye specialist Galgallo Arero, most of the eye problems was a result of cataract.
Image: ABDKADIR CHARI
He explained that cataracts develop when the metabolism of the body changes, causing the lenses of the eye to lose transparency.
Galgallo said, most of those attending this year's July clinic had very severe allergies and received treatment.
He said half of the cases of blindness are caused by cataracts which can be corrected but high poverty levels have seen many losing their sight because they cannot afford the surgery.
He advised residents to always go for eye check-ups as part of ensuring that their health is maintained and monitored properly.
18 medical teams comprising Ophthalmologists and Nurses will perform the free surgeries in both Moyale and Marsabit Referral hospitals.
Galgallo Boru, a twenty-year-old boy and resident of Saku who lost his eye says his mother's attempt to treat him with herbal medicine worsened his condition and he can barely see, he is hoping that he will get help from the free eye clinic.
Habiba Ali, a 50-year-old resident of Saku was diagnosed with cataracts three years ago but was never operated on due to lack of money to foot the bills.
She is hoping that she will get help and return home having recovered.
Guyo Gababo, a resident of Moyale says he has been suffering for so long because no one informed him about such initiatives.