Over 300 people with various eye conditions attended a free eye care treatment camp in Lokori, Turkana East Sub-County, on Tuesday.
The event was held by the county government in collaboration with The Fred Hollows Foundation.
The Cataract Surgical Camp also featured outreaches and training of Community Health Promoters (CHPs), community health extension workers, and disability programme officers on primary eye care, case identification and referral pathways for cataracts, trachoma, glaucoma, and refractive errors. This camp was also supported by Australian Aid.
The Chief Officer of Preventive and Promotive Health Services Janerose Tioko said such services were crucial for the many people in Turkana who may not easily afford them.
“This is a successful outreach; over 300 people attended, and 60 of them including cataract and trachoma trichiasis patients, had corrective eye surgeries,” she said.
Tioko also mentioned the social mobilization done prior to the camp contributed to the success of the camp, as many people were reached.
There are three more similar camps scheduled in June to be held in Katilu (Aroo Sub-County), Lopiding (Lokichoggio Sub-County), and Suguta Sub-County.
By Peter Gitonga
