BY PRIMEROSE OMOTO
The commemoration of the 30th year of Kwale Eye Center ended in a fanfare at Magandia in Kwale County.
The event began by first celebrating World Sight Day before embarking on the success stories of a thirty-year journey of the facility.
Students from the Likoni School for the Visually Impaired graced the occasion with songs and dances and skits performances by Kwale Arts Troupe.
The event came to a thrilling conclusion amid cheers and fanfare, featuring gleaming cultural displays, singing and dancing from spectators and guests to appreciate the milestone achievement of the hospital’s 30 years of quality eye care services to the residents.
Kwale Eye Centre Director Dr Hellen Roberts noted that the facility come a long way.
She said it has been a journey of learning, success and bettering services.
Hellen said it took a lot of sacrifice and courage in the quest to improve eye treatment in the region.
“The three decades have been tough but didn’t tire and pushed forward in improving eye treatment,” she said.
Hellen said the facility was too small and had limited resources and staff but thanks to the Almighty God and the commitment to better eye treatment in Kwale the facility has now become fully-fledged.
She said the facility is a beacon of hope to the residents within and outside the county seeking quality eye treatment.
The Doctor said for three decades the hospital has provided eye treatment to over 450, 000 patients and done more than 35, 000 surgeries.
She said the facility has had a positive transformation with innovations and technology brought on board to offer specialized eye treatments.
Hellen said she is glad that the facility is part and parcel of the good health of the Kwale people and their success.
She said that each surgery and service offered has restored lost hope and happiness in families.
Hellen attributed the achievements to the endless support from the community, partners and the government.
The facility’s administrator Verena Ndunda advised locals to for for eye regular checkups.
She said treatment is available and at very convenient prices.
“Everyone is at risk of getting eye-related diseases. It is better if one goes for a checkup. There is nothing to worry treatment is available,” she said.
She said the facility has tried to keep treatment reasonable as they allow payment through NHIF, Mpesa and other modes.
Ndunda said people should go for a checkup at least once a year.
She said further delay in having an eye condition treated might complicate the problem.
The facility’s Ophthalmologist Dr. Shabbir Abdulrasul warned residents against home remedies.
He said the wrong medication could aggravate a problem and risk losing an eye or life.
“Avoid over-the-counter medicine, the effects are normally bad,” he said.
Abdulrasul urged the residents to take note of any changes in vision such as text and images becoming blurry, regular headaches and increased sensitivity to light.
He said any of the symptoms might be a sign of an eye problem which needs medical assistance.
A patient Amina Hamza hailed the hospital for contributing eyecare.
Hamza said she has been battling glaucoma since childhood and the hospital has helped her manage the problem.
“My parents would hold my hand and guide me when going for my regular checkups here at Kwale Eye Center until now I am grown up,” she said.
Another Nasra Mkamburi said she is happy that the facility’s doctors helped save her eyes.
She also suffers from eye pressure and has been on medication since the age of three years.
Mkamburi said she underwent several eye surgeries and still goes for regular checkups to maintain her condition.
“Thanks to this hospital, they give good services which I have been receiving since I was young,” she said.
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