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Over 100 patients have regained their vision following successful cataract surgeries during a seven-day specialist eye surgery camp at the Chunya District Referral Hospital in Mbeya.
This initiative, held from June 14-21, 2024, was supported by the government through the Ministry of Health in collaboration with Helen Keller International.
Dr. John Ndundumka, the acting medical officer of Chunya Hospital, announced that the camp’s objective is to provide cataract surgery to 450 patients by the end of the campaign. These patients, hailing from 21 wards across Chunya district, are receiving free cataract surgeries, a service that typically costs about TZS 1.2 million.
“This campaign is unprecedented in Chunya’s history. Many low-income residents are accessing free cataract surgery, a service they ordinarily couldn’t afford,” Dr. Ndundumka stated.
Dr. Greater Bruno Mande, an official from the Ministry of Health’s National Eye Care Program, emphasized the ministry’s priority to bring eye care services closer to the community. He encouraged residents to take advantage of these camps to get their eyes examined and treated.
“The Ministry of Health, with the support of Helen Keller International, has already conducted six similar camps and plans to organize more. We encourage citizens to utilize these opportunities whenever they arise,” said Dr. Bruno.
He also expressed gratitude towards the Chunya district leadership for their cooperation and thanked Helen Keller International for supporting the sixth-phase government led by President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan in making such essential medical services accessible to the public.
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Helen Keller International has been actively involved in combating eye diseases in Tanzania. Since June 2022, they have identified 1,750 cataract patients across three phases and provided equipment worth TZS 140 million to Mbeya region. Moreover, they trained 570 community health workers to aid in these efforts
The ongoing camp is a testament to the collaborative efforts between the Tanzanian government and international organizations to improve healthcare access, particularly for eye health. Such initiatives are vital in addressing the high prevalence of cataracts and other eye conditions in the region.
Residents have welcomed the initiative, expressing relief and gratitude for the free services. Many beneficiaries, who had been suffering from impaired vision, can now look forward to a better quality of life post-surgery.
In addition to the surgeries, community health workers, alongside professional health experts, are conducting house-to-house visits to identify more patients in need of eye care, ensuring comprehensive outreach and treatment.
This eye surgery camp not only alleviates the burden of cataract blindness but also sets a precedent for future health initiatives aimed at marginalized communities, highlighting the importance of accessible and affordable healthcare services
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