Over 5,000 Kakamega residents received free eye treatment last week courtesy of Baraza foundation in conjunction with Dr Agarwal’s Eye hospital and Sabatia eye clinic.
The five-day exercise that was concluded on Saturday covered residents of Matungu, Mumias West, Mumias East, Butere, Khwisero and Lumakanda.
Baraza foundation patron, Fernandez Baraza said that the foundation’s research department discovered that five per cent of Kakamega's populace suffer from various forms of eye ailments. This prompted them to look for partners and offer free treatment.
Baraza who is also the CEO Kenya Electricity Transmission Company said the foundation will be carrying out annual treatments to support the vulnerable.
He said most conditions can be managed if treated early, adding that they have a network of sponsors who have agreed to treat patients for free.
“Our network of doctors including doctors from Dr Agarwal’s Eye Hospital and the Sabatia Eye clinic have agreed to support us for free in offering free medical care to the vulnerable,” he noted.
Baraza also said they are negotiating with more partners to start offering free breast and cervical cancer treatment and management.
Dr Bonface Orangi, an eye treatment specialist from Dr Agarwal’s Eye hospital, said some patients had lost their vision after cataract infection.
He said during the treatment exercise, they identified more than 100 people with cataracts, who will be referred to Nairobi to have their vision restored. Most of the patients were over 40 years.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
